India bus crash in Himachal Pradesh kills 12 people

Twelve people were killed when a vehicle they were travelling in plunged off a road in the northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, police said.

The SUV, carrying people returning from a cricket match, fell into a gorge in Chamba district, some 450km (280 miles) from the capital Shimla late on Sunday.

Rescue teams arrived at the site of the incident early on Monday.

Road accidents are common in India, often due to poor driving or badly maintained roads and vehicles.

A local police official BR Kamal said 12 passengers died on the spot.

"They were all aged between nine and 29 years and were returning after playing a cricket match in the area," he said.