Police in India say 22 people were killed after a speeding bus plunged off a bridge and burst into flames in the country's south.

Officials say the crash occurred Tuesday night in Tamil Nadu state when the driver of the bus swerved to avoid two trucks which had collided with each other.

Only two people, including the bus driver, survived the accident. The driver has been taken into police custody.

India has the highest road death toll in the world with more than 110,000 people dying every year in accidents caused by speeding, careless driving and poor roads.