10 Dead as Van Gets Electrocuted in West Bengal

At least 10 people died and 16 others sustained injuries after a van carrying a group of Hindu pilgrims got electrocuted in the eastern Indian state of West Bengal in the small hours of Monday.

The tragedy occurred around 12.30am on Dharla Bridge in the state's Cooch Behar district, some 700 kms from West Bengal capital Kolkata, police said.

"Preliminary probe has revealed that the van got electrocuted due to a short-circuit in the diesel generator set fitted in the vehicle to power a music system," a police officer told the local media.

While the 10 pilgrims, mostly young men in their early 20s, were electrocuted to death on the spot, the injured have been admitted to Jalpaiguri hospital, the officer said. "The condition of two of the injured is serious."

The bodies have been handed over to the family members of the victims, police said.

"A probe has been ordered into the tragedy that will also ascertain if the vehicle had the required permission to install and use the music system on board," the officer added.