Bhopal: Nine people were killed and several others injured when a bus fell into a river near Vidisha district in Madhya Pradesh on Sunday afternoon.

The bus carrying 24 passengers fell into the Sapan River – around 60 km from the district headquarters – after hitting the railing along the river, superintendent of police (SP) Dharmendra Chaudhary told Times of India.

The death toll may increase. Rescue operations were on till report was being filed.

State government has announced an ex-gratia to the kin of each of those killed besides free treatment for the injured in the mishap. All the injured have been admitted to a hospital and the condition of four patients is critical, police said.