In the worst incident, at least 51 wedding guests died after a bus plunged into a canal in Barpeta district in north-east Assam state on Thursday, police said.

The bus which plunged into the canal in Assam was carrying at least 80 passengers, police said and added that the death toll may rise further.

Meanwhile, 13 people died when a bus fell into a deep gorge near Nainital in Uttaranchal state, police said.

Forty-three passengers were in the vehicle, which was travelling from the capital, Delhi, to Almora in Uttaranchal state.

Road accidents are common and claim hundreds of lives every year in India. Most of the accidents are blamed on reckless driving, old vehicles and poorly maintained roads.

BBC