The incident took place on the NH 6 near Mahisrekha bridge in the district, police said, adding that the bus was en route to Gadiara town from Howrah. The bus collided head-on with the trailer which veered to the right side on the arterial road in Uluberia area at around 6.15 pm.
While 20 bodies were recovered from the bus, at least 25 others were rescued and rushed to Uluberia Hospital. Some of them were in serious condition, doctors said.
Police and fire brigade personnel, along with locals, were still continuing search and rescue operations with the help of gas cutters and did not rule out chances about the toll rising up.
Published 13 December 2009, 19:12 IST