At least 20 people were killed and 12 injured when a bus carrying over 30 passengers fell into a khud at Suakholi area near Mussoorie town on Sunday afternoon, police said.

The mishap occurred when the private bus was going to Chamba area in Tehri district from Mussoorie, they said.

While 15 people were killed on the spot, five succumbed to injuries in the Mussoorie hospital, they said. All the critically injured have been referred to the Dehra Dun hospital, they added.

Uttaranchal Chief Minister N D Tiwari has announced an ex gratia of Rs 50,000 to the kin of those killed and Rs 20,000 to the seriously injured.