LUCKNOW, Sept 22: At least 15 people were killed when a powerful bomb exploded in a passenger van near Lucknow on Sunday.

A police official said the bomb exploded as the van approached a railway crossing in the carpet-weaving town of Hardoi, some 100 kilometres from Lucknow.

Fourteen people died instantly while three others were injured, one of whom died later in hospital of her wounds, a senior police official said.

He said the two other victims were being treated in hospital for severe injuries.—AFP