Updated at 9-30 pm

Agency report

As the exact number of people who died or were injured is not available even from hospital or police sources, the picture is not yet clear. It is possible that some injured or dead may have been taken to different hospitals or homes depending on the kind of emergency, convenience or distance.

"At least three people have died and 25 injured when The hi-tech Volvo bus of the state transport corporation, which was trying to overtake a motorbike, swerved to the left and rammed into an auto rickshaw," additional police commissioner (law & order) Bipin Gopalakrishna told reporters.

"With its brakes failing, the bus crashed into a bus shelter near the HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd) factory, injuring many of its employees who were waiting for the company bus after the first shift," he said.

While two people, one of them travelling in the auto, died instantaneously, the third person succumbed to injuries at the HAL hospital. Some of the injured were also rushed to the Manipal Hospital on the airport road, which witnessed chaotic traffic jams.

"The mishap led to mob fury and violence in which the bus and a police vehicle were stoned and set on fire. Hundreds of people, including several HAL employees, rushed to the accident spot and blocked the road, bringing vehicular movement to a standstill," Gopalakrishna said.

"We have brought the situation under control by dispersing the crowds and cordoning of the area," he added.

The airport road, connecting the IT hub of Whitefield and the central business district in the city, has been prone to accidents due to the lack of lane discipline, absence of traffic constables at vital junctions and movement of heavy vehicles.
 
Updated at 7-30 am

Although the initial reports mentioned six casualties, there is still confusion about the exact number. TV news mentioned only two deaths and 19 injuries.

The group of people mowed down by the bus were HAL employees coming out of their factory, said eyewitnesses.

The injured have been rushed to the HAL hospital. The exact number of casualties is not yet clear.

from Patrick D'Souza, Bangalore

Bangalore, Oct 17: A major road accident involving a BMTC Volvo bus took place between HAL airport road and Marathalli bridge, leading to severe traffic disruption.

The bus is said to have swerved from the wrong direction and rammed into a waiting shelter. A rickshaw was also crushed, killing its passengers.

Unconfirmed reports said at least six people have died and 15 have been injured in the accident. Irate crowds are said to have set fire to the bus and blocked the traffic. Failure of brakes has been cited as having caused the mishap. Identities of the deceased and the injured is not immediately available.

The traffic was being diverted towards Jeevan Bima Nagar via Leela Palace junction. Senior police officers have rushed to the spot. 

Although the situation is peaceful, the traffic disruption is likely to continue for two or three hours.