NEW DELHI, Oct 7 (Reuters) - Indian riot police fired tear gas to disperse an angry crowd after a bus crashed into pedestrians in the Indian capital on Sunday killing seven people.

Television channels showed hundreds of protesters fighting police in riot-helmets, who used tear gas and a mild baton-charge to control the crowd.

The protesters beat up the bus driver who was among the 16 injured.

The accident involving one of New Delhi's "Blue Line" buses is the latest in a series of crashes involving the vehicles.

Indian newspapers, some of which have been running a campaign for banning the buses from the city, say about 85 people have been killed in accidents involving the vehicles since January.

The privately operated Blue Line buses are often seen speeding on New Delhi roads, zig-zagging their way through the traffic, dangerously negotiating bends and often racing each other in a bid to be the first to pick up passengers from stops.

AlertNet news is provided by