At least 20 people were killed in Nigeria yesterday when a cable fell on to a bus and electrocuted passengers inside, police said.

Police confirmed 20 deaths, but spokeswoman Rita Abbey said the toll could climb further.

The victims were taken to a hospital in the provincial capital of Port Harcourt. Another 10 people were taken there for treatment to gashes and burns. Most of those killed had been passengers on the bus, though some had been passing nearby when the cable tumbled down during heavy rain.

Police could not say exactly how many people were aboard the bus or if any passengers had survived.