Kolkata, Sep 6 (IANS) At least five people were missing after a bus fell into a river in West Bengal's Bankura district Thursday.

"The bus fell into the river Bhairabanki at Fulkushma. Most of the people swam to safety or were rescued. Five-six bus commuters are missing," Bankura Superintendent of Police Mukesh Kumar told IANS over phone.

District Magistrate G.A. Ansari said 43 commuters have been rescued.

"I have also heard that five to six people have been washed away, but I am not sure about it," Ansari said.

Kumar and other senior administrative officers rushed to the accident site at Barikul, around 160 km from here.

"Divers have been deployed. There is too much of rain and rescue work is difficult," Ansari said.

--Indo-Asian News Service
 

Update: 06-September-2012