At least 17 people were killed and 50 others were injured after the truck carrying them overturned in Meghalaya’s West Khasi Hills district on Sunday morning. The accident took place around 8.30 am near the Nongspung village, 11 km from the district headquarters at Nogstoin, Hindustan Times reported.

West Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police Sylvester Nongtnger said preliminary investigations showed the truck likely tipped over because of rash driving. “The truck was carrying more than 70 persons to a Church in Nonglang when it lost control on the road and hit the roadside wall on the national highway,” Nongtnger said. Most of the passengers were thrown down a gorge, the SP said, adding that 12 of them died on the spot, The Indian Express reported.

The driver, who was injured in the incident, has been arrested and charged under sections of the Indian Penal Code, officials said. Most of those injured have been shifted to district hospitals.