COLOMBO: At least 21 people were killed and 24 others injured when an overcrowded bus carrying Buddhist pilgrims plunged into a precipice in Sri Lanka on Sunday. The crash occurred on one of the island nation’s dangerous winding roads in the central hilly region of Kotmale, known for its treacherous terrain.
The bus, carrying around 70 passengers, about 20 more than its capacity, lost control and veered off the cliffside road before dawn. The vehicle, which landed wheels-up in a tea plantation, was severely damaged, with its roof and side panels sheared off and many seats ripped from the floor.
The state-owned bus was en route from Kataragama, a pilgrim town in the south, to Kurunegala, located in the central region of Sri Lanka, a distance of approximately 250 kilometers. Police are investigating whether the crash was due to a mechanical failure or if the driver fell asleep at the wheel.
Deputy Transport Minister Prasanna Gunasena confirmed the death toll and said that the injured were rushed to nearby hospitals. Local residents are being praised for their quick response in helping pull survivors from the wreckage and getting them medical attention.
This incident marks one of the worst bus accidents in Sri Lanka in recent years. The deadliest crash on record in the country occurred in 2005, when 37 passengers were killed in a collision at a level crossing in Polgahawela.
