Thirty-four people were killed as bus fell into Indus river in northern Pakistan on Thursday, local TV channels reported.

The bus fell into Indus river near Skardu of northern Pakistan, and 34 people onboard were drown. Only the bus conductor escaped alive, the private TV channel Express reported.

Twenty-seven of the dead were soldiers posted in Skardu. They were returning from vacations when the accident occurred.

According to the report, the cause of the accident was overspeeding and brake failure. Police said all passengers have been dead because of high flow of water.

Large number of people and police are carrying out rescue operation at the incident site.

(Xinhua News Agency August 6, 2009)