According to reports, a Krishnanagar to Palashipara bound public bus suddenly lost its control, while it was trying to overtake another bus of same route, and fell into a water-filled ditch beside Krishnanagar-Karimpur Road at around 1 pm.
Police, locals and rescue workers rushed to the scene and rescued over 80 passengers from the bus.
All injured were taken to Tehatta Hospital where eight of them were declared brought dead.
A local police official said that the deceased have been identified as Nijamuddin Mondal (65), Benjira Bibi (24), Reshma Bibi Mondal (35), Rezaul Karim Mondal (30), Bishakha Halder (40), Rita Pramanick (38), Rajesh Pramanick (32) and Anushka Halder (02).
According to hospital reports, conditions of at least 38 injured persons are very critical and they have been referred to Shaktinagar District Hospital.
Police, however, have started probe into the reason of mishap.
"We have seized the bus while its driver is still absconding," a local police official told IBNS.
The state government has announced a compensation of Rs. 2 lakh each to the kin of the deceased.
Meanwhile, at least nine persons were hurt as a speeding minibus crashed into another bus on Howrah Bridge (Rabindra Setu) in Kolkata on Tuesday morning, according to reports.
(Reporting by Deepayan Sinha)
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