As many as 15 people were killed and 21 others injured in a head-on collision between a passenger bus and a sand-ladden truck in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh on Thursday, police said.

The accident occurred near Baburi village in Uttar Pradesh's Barabanki district, some 30km from state capital Lucknow.

"The bus carrying 70 passengers from Delhi to Bahraich district collided with the truck coming from the opposite direction as its driver tried to avoid hitting a stray cow on the road," Barabanki police chief Yamuna Prasad told the media.

While nine people died on the spot in the impact of the crash, six others succumbed to their injuries at a local hospital, where 10 others are currently undergoing treatment, police said.

"Some 11 injured have been shifted to King George Medical University in Lucknow," he said.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to social media to condole the deaths.

"Anguished by the road accident in Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh. Condolences to the families of those who lost their lives. Prayers with the injured. Rs. 2 lakh each from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of the deceased and Rs. 50,000 to the injured," Modi tweeted.

State Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh each for the families of those killed and ordered the authorities to ensure "the best possible treatment to all the injured".

"A probe has been ordered into the accident," another police officer said.

Road accidents are very common in India, with one taking place every four minutes. These accidents are often blamed on poor roads, rash driving and scant regard for traffic laws.

The Indian government's implementation of stricter traffic laws in recent years have failed to rein in accidents, which claimed over 100,000 lives every year.