The bus driver dozed off while driving the pilgrims, who were returning from the popular temple town of Deoghar, about 268 kilometers (167 miles) from the state capital Ranchi, Lakra said. Nishikant Dubey, a Jharkhand state lawmaker in the lower house of parliament, said in a social media post that 18 people died in the accident without disclosing the source of the information. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences to families of the victims and a wish for a fast recovery by the injured in a social media post.