People look at a truck that slammed into a concrete barricade, throwing passengers into a gorge, killing 17 Christians in Meghalaya state. (Photo: IANS)
Seventeen Christians were killed and 57 injured when a speeding truck they were travelling crashed on Feb. 26 in northeastern Indian state of Meghalaya.
The truck carrying 74 people hit a concrete barrier while negotiating a bend near Jdohkroh, in the Christian-majority state’s Nongstoin district.
The passengers were heading to a Presbyterian Church youth synod in the West Khasi Hills, police said.
"The accident was the result of the driver driving too fast," Sylvester Nongtnger, superintendent of police in the West Khadi Hills told ucanews.com.
Nongtnger said many passengers were thrown from the truck and into a deep ravine.
"It is a huge loss of life," Rolian Thanga, administrative secretary of the Presbyterian Church of India, told ucanews.com.
He said some of the critically injured were being treated in the state capital Shillong for treatment.
Some 75 percent of the state’s 2.9 million people are Christians, making Meghalaya one of India’s three Christian majority states along with Nagaland and Mizoram, all of which are in the country's northeast.