West Champaran, Aug. 22 -- Five people were killed, and several others were injured after a bus rammed into a crowd at an event in Bihar's Bettiah, a police officer said.

The incident took place on Friday when the bus, to avoid a collision with a truck, struck the crowd watching a programme.

Narkatiaganj Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Jayprakash Singh told ANI, "A cultural programme was underway in Bankatwa village at night. A truck was coming from the direction of Bettiah, and a bus was approaching from the direction of Bagaha. Both vehicles lost their balance while trying to avoid a collision.

"Five people watching the cultural programme were struck and killed, and two others were injured," he added.

More details are awaited (...