KATHMANDU, July 11: Thirty-two Nepali nationals were rescued alive by Indian police after a Nepal-bound bus plunged into Sharda canal at Phoolbehad village of Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday, Indian media reported.

The ill-fated bus, which was en route to Dang district from Shimla of India, had a close shave after it plunged into Sharda canal at around 5 am on Wednesday.

All the 33 passengers including a native of Himachal Pradesh were rescued by local police, who acted swiftly after receiving information,  Times of India Online reported on Thursday morning. The incident occurred when the driver lost control over the vehicle and it plunged into the canal, according to the report.

Police team from Phoolbehad station of Uttarpradesh rushed to the spot after receiving the information and launched a rescue operation with the help of locals, the report further said. Two cranes that were pressed into service pulled out the bus from the canal. 

“While negotiating a sharp turn just before the canal, the driver lost control over the speeding bus that first crashed into the bridge railing and then fell into the canal," a police official engaged in rescue operation was quoted by ToI Online as saying.

“Passengers had a close shave as water didn’t enter the bus. The cranes pulled the bus out of the canal and all passengers were evacuated safely," the police official added. The Indian police rushed 12 passengers at the district hospital and where they administrated first aid.  Later, all passengers were sent to Dang.

 
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