16, Including Schoolchildren, Dead As Bus Plunges Into Deep Gorge

Sixteen people, including schoolchildren, have died after a bus rolled off a cliff and fell into a deep gorge in India.

At least 40 passengers were aboard the bus during the incident, which took place in the north Indian state of Himachal Pradesh Monday, FirstPost reported.

The death toll may still climb as rescue operations continue at the site. As for the injured passengers of the bus, they have been transferred to local hospitals for treatment.

The incident has since devastated Indians, many of whom took to Twitter to mourn the deaths. Meanwhile, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a $2,530 compensation for the families of the deceased.

"The bus accident in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh is heart-rending. In this tragic hour my thoughts are with the bereaved families. I hope those injured recover at the earliest. The local administration is providing all possible assistance to those affected: PM@narendramodi," he wrote in a tweet Monday.

Jairam Thakur, the northern state's chief minister, sent out a condolence tweet as well. According to the platform's translation, it reads, "I received news about the private bus accident in Sainj valley of Kullu. The entire administration is present at the spot and the injured are being taken to the hospital. I pray to God to give peace to the departed souls and strength to bereaved families."

Authorities are awaiting further details about the incident, including its cause.

More than 110,000 people lose their lives in deadly road accidents in India annually, according to ABC News. Common causes of accidents include reckless driving, poor road conditions due to lack of maintenance and decrepit vehicles.

A similar incident occurred in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh last month. A bus, which reportedly carried 40 passengers, also fell into a 50-feet gorge, claiming the lives of five people and critically injuring 10 others. Local witnesses told authorities that the bus was speeding and trying to overtake another vehicle. The then bus lost its balance and overturned before plunging into the gorge. A total of 108 ambulances arrived at the scene to aid the injured, Times Now reported.