At least 52 people were killed when a crowded passenger bus fell into a deep gorge in northern India, police have said, according to Belfast Telegraph.

Police officer Raj Kumar said the driver lost control of the vehicle at a sharp bend on a mountain road in Himachal Pradesh state, nearly 385 miles north of New Delhi.

The bus then plunged more than 100 metres into the gorge.

The officer said the rescue operation is continuing and that the death toll could still rise.

Police figures show India has the world's highest road death toll, with more than 110,000 people dying each year in accidents commonly caused by overcrowding, speeding, and poor vehicle and road maintenance.

Superintendent Kuldeep Sharma later said the bus had seats for 60 people and was so overcrowded that some people were riding on its roof.