Aizawl, Jul 21 (IANS): At least 18 people were killed and 17 others injured when a bus carrying them fell into a gorge in Mizoram early Saturday, an official said.

The accident occurred when the overloaded bus crashed into the debris of a landslide near Keifang village, about 80 km from Aizawl city, and then toppled off the road.

"Seventeen people died on the spot and one injured person succumbed to injuries while being taken to a nearby hospital. All the injured people have been shifted to the Aizawl Civil Hospital for treatment. The condition of seven of them is critical," a Mizoram information department official told reporters.

The bodies of the victims have been recovered.

The ill-fated bus left Aizwal late Friday night for Champai in eastern Mizoram and fell into a 100-metre-deep gorge in a narrow valley after ramming into the debris.

Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla and other ministers visited the injured at the hospital.