Kathmandu, Apr 22 (IANS): At least 17 Indian pilgrims were killed and 28 others were injured when a bus carrying them plunged into a river while negotiating a sharp bend along a downhill section of the Prithvi Highway in Nepal, police said.

According to Superintendent of Police Narayan Singh Khadka, the accident took place at 6.40 a.m. when the bus carrying dozens of Indian pilgrims skidded off the Prithvi Highway, rolled down 200 metres and fell into Jhyapre river in Dhading district, some 50 km west of Kathmandu.

"We are trying to ascertain the names and addresses of nine males and eight females who died in the accident," he said.

Police said that 14 people died on the spot while three others died in hospital.

The 45 Indian pilgrims aboard the bus were returning to Gorakhpur in India after visiting the Pashupatinath temple.

The injured are being treated at various hospitals in Kathmandu, including Teaching Hospital, Vayodaha Hospital, Shahid Memorial Hospital and Norvic Hospital.

Personnel of the army, police, armed police and locals are carrying out the rescue work at the accident site.