Mandya bus accident: Karnataka CM announces Rs 5 lakh aid to kin of victims

"An ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh would be paid to the families of the victims who lost their lives in the tragic accident," a statement from the Chief Minister's Office said.

The mishap took place around noon at Kanaganamaradi village near Pandavapura town in the district.

A private bus carrying passengers, mostly schoolchildren, fell into a canal in Karnataka's Mandya district on Saturday, killing at least 25 people, police said.

The bus completely submerged after falling into VC canal at Kanakanamaradi of Pandavapura taluka, they said, adding bodies of 23 victims was fished out.

The accident spot is about 120 km from Bengaluru on the state highway towards Mysuru after Mandya town.

"I just came to know that a bus has fallen in a canal and 25 people have died. That is the latest report," said Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara, expressing grief over the tragedy.

Kumaraswamy and former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah visited the accident site and expressed their condolences to the families of the victims. Rescue operations were still underway to search for the remaining victims.

"This was an extremely tragic incident. I pray for peace to the souls of the deceased and strength to their families to bear the loss," Kumaraswamy said. 

Most of the killed were children, police sources said, adding they were returning home after a half-day at school.

Long wails from the grief-stricken inconsolable kin of the victims followed as the rescue teams fished out bodies one after another.

The district authorities roped in a crane to bring out the bus from the canal.