17 killed in Meghalaya accident

At least 17 people were killed and 62 others critically injured on Sunday when a truck they were travelling in rammed into the concrete barricade along a road in Meghalaya's West Khasi Hills district, police said.

The overcrowded truck with over 70 people travelling in it was proceedings towards Nonglang village to attend the synod of Presbyterian Church.

"The final count of bodies from the accident site at Jadohkroh village and those who succumbed to injuries in hospital is 17 and those critically injured is 62," Sylvester Nongtnger, district police chief of West Khasi Hills, told IANS.

The toll could increase as most of the injured were in critical condition, he said.

Nongtnger said preliminary investigations indicated that the accident occurred due to over-speeding, which led to the truck ramming against the concrete barricade -- and hurling the occupants of the carrier into the gorge along the road.

"We have registered a case against the driver under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and Motor Vehicles Act," the police official said.

Expressing grief over the loss of lives in the accident, state Home Minister H.D.R. Lyngdoh promised action against those involved as per provisions of the law.

--IANS

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