A collision between a truck loaded with sand and a school bus results in death of 24 children

A TRUCK fully laden with sand has collided with a school bus in India’s north, with reports of up to 24 children killed and dozens hurt.

Families are in shock after a sand truck and school bus collided in India, killing 24 primary school-aged children. Picture: KK Production/AP

A TRUCK loaded with sand collided with a school bus early Thursday, killing at least 24 young children in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, police said.

At least two dozen other children were injured when the speeding truck collided head-on with the bus, said Javeed Ahmed, the state’s top police official. The children, between the ages of 3 and 12, were studying at a school in the town of Etah.

The crash was the latest deadly accident in a country with one of the worst road safety records in the world. Picture: AFP

Another police officer, Daljeet Chaudhry, said visibility was low due to dense fog.

Police officer Parasuram Singh said the truck driver suffered serious injuries to his legs, which were amputated at a hospital.

The area is about 270 kilometres (170 miles) southeast of New Delhi. State education authorities had closed all schools in the district because of a severe cold wave, and Ahmed said authorities would check why the school had stayed open.

Most of the victims were aged between three and 12. Picture: AFP

Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted his condolences, saying: “Anguished by tragic accident in UP’s Etah. I share the pain of the bereaved families & condole (the) passing away of young children.” Accidents are common on Indian roads, with most blamed on reckless driving, poorly maintained roads and ageing vehicles.