Storm kills 27 in northern India

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At least 27 people were killed and dozens injured when a violent storm hit the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh on Friday, police have said.

Twenty-four people died in Sultanpur when several buildings collapsed, while three others were killed by lightning in the neighbouring town of Pratapgarh.

The strong winds of over 60km/h also pulled down power lines, leaving large areas of the state without electricity.

Officials have been sent to the area to evaluate the extent of the damage.

A spokesman for the police said many of the victims had been killed when trees fell on their homes.

"The people who were inside were crushed to death," Surendra Srivastava said.

The town of Sultanpur is 140km (85 miles) south-east of the capital of Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow.