Overloaded bus plunges into ravine in Sri Lanka, 45 people injured and dead

At least 21 people were killed and 24 others injured when an overloaded bus plunged into a ravine in Sri Lanka.

The Daily Mail reported that a bus accident that plunged into a ravine, causing dozens of casualties, occurred in a mountainous area near the town of Kotmale, Sri Lanka, on May 11.

Police said the bus was carrying about 70 passengers — 20 more than its capacity — when the driver lost control and the vehicle plunged into a ravine early in the morning.

Accident scene. Photo: X.

"Twenty-one people have died and we are identifying the victims. The injured, including the driver, have been taken to two hospitals in the area," Deputy Transport Minister Prasanna Gunasena said.

Images of the accident posted online showed the bus lying upside down at the bottom of a ravine as rescue workers and residents pulled victims from the wreckage.

One surviving passenger said he was sitting at the front of the bus and escaped with minor injuries.

"The bus tilted to the left while the driver was cornering. The driver then lost control and the bus fell into the ravine," the unnamed passenger recalled.

The accident happened in the mountains near the town of Kotmale, Sri Lanka. Photo: AJ.

Police are investigating the incident.

"We are determining whether it was a technical fault or the driver fell asleep at the wheel," a police officer said.

The bus crash on May 11 was one of the worst in Sri Lanka since April 2005, when the driver tried to overtake a train in the town of Polgahawela, killing 37 passengers.

>>> Readers are invited to watch more videos : Rescuing a victim who was hit by a car reversing and fell into a deep hole in Ma Pi Leng

Source: https://khoahocdoisong.vn/xe-buyt-cho-qua-tai-lao-xuong-vuc-o-sri-lanka-45-nguoi-thuong-vong-post270691.html