At least seventeen persons were killed and several others injured today when a private bus fell into a gorge near Namli town in the district today, police said.

The bus was on its way to Mandsaur from Ratlam when the mishap took place.

According to eyewitnesses, the bus was moving on a high speed and suddenly it overturned and fell into the gorge filled with water.

Unconfirmed reports said there were 40-45 passengers in the bus. However, the SP said the figure is not correct.

Efforts were on to pull the bus out of the gorge with the help of local residents. Senior officials have rushed to the spot and further details are awaited.

PM Modi took to Twitter to express grief over loss of lives