From correspondents in Jharkhand, India, 02:34 PM IST

At least eight people were killed and 20 injured when a bus carrying a marriage party drove off a precipice in Hazaribagh district of Jharkhand Wednesday, police said.

The bus carrying 30 people fell off the road in the Maldih valley of Hazaribagh, about 130 km from state capital Ranchi, when the driver lost control over the vehicle.

The bus was returning to Hazaribagh from Chatra district Wednesday morning.

A police officer said seven people died on the spot while one person succumbed even as he was being taken to hospital. 'Condition of seven injured is said to be critical,' he added.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)