40 Perish in India Bus Crash

At least 40 people have died in a bus crash in southern India after their vehicle collided with a roadside barrier and burst into flames.

Local police said most of the victims were burned to death in the fire. The driver and about five others escaped through a window.

Reports said the other passengers may have been asleep when the crash occurred, and failed to find an escape route in time.

India has an exceptionally high road death toll, a fact generally attributed to reckless driving and poorly maintained roads.