13 school teachers killed in road mishap in northern India

At least 13 school teachers were killed and three others injured Friday when a car in which they were travelling collided head-on with a speeding truck in north India, local police said.

"The mishap took place near Chandmajri village on the Fazilka-Ferozepur highway, over 300 kms from Punjab state capital Chandigarh, due to dense fog. While 13 teachers were killed on the spot, those injured have been admitted to a local hospital," a senior police official said, on condition of anonymity.

The teachers were travelling to their schools when the accident occurred, the official said, adding the drivers of both vehicles failed to see each other because of heavy fog in the morning and the truck was in high speed.

While the driver and the helper of the truck fled the spot after the incident, leaving the vehicle behind, the condition of the driver of the ill-fated car is serious, the official said.

"A probe has been ordered and a manhunt lodged to nab the driver and helper of the truck," he added.

Fog is common in northern India in the intense winter months of December and January. 

source: Xinhua