The accident occurred around 5 am near Jojikot village in Behta Mujhawar police station area

District Magistrate Gaurang Rathi said it appears that the bus, which was coming from Motihari in Bihar, was speeding and hit the milk tanker from behind

Eighteen people died and 19 were injured in the accident. A probe has been launched into the matter, he said

Rathi said 20 passengers who sustained minor injuries were sent to Delhi in another bus, which was carrying 60 people

Additional Director General of Police, Lucknow, S B Shiradkar told PTI that 14 men, three women and a child were killed in the accident

Bangarmau Circle Officer (CO) Arvind Kumar said due to the collision, both the bus and milk tanker overturned. Drivers of the two vehicles were among the dead

He said the injured were rushed to a hospital and their condition was stated to be stable

Glass shards and people's belongings lay scattered on the highway next to the overturned bus and milk tanker. Cranes were used to put the two vehicles back on their wheels and they were later towed away

The impact of the collision left the front portion of the bus badly mangled with one side ripped open