Motihari: At least 16 pilgrims were killed and several injured when the bus carrying them plummeted into a roadside ditch in dense fog near Chiljhapti bridge in Bihar's East Champaran district last night (Dec 18, 2004), police said today (Dec 19, 2004).

Superintendent of Police Kamal Kishore told sources, while 10 persons died on the spot, six others succumbed at the Sadar hospital in Motihari during treatment.

Two seriously wounded passengers have been referred to Patna Medical College and Hospital and 25 others are undergoing treatment at the hospital here.

The accident occurred when the driver of the bus lost control due to dense fog.

The pilgrims were returning from Garhi Mai temple in Nepal and were on way to Sahebganj in Muzaffarpur district when the accident occurred.