Robert Besser
16 May 2025, 16:29 GMT+10
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka: A passenger bus carrying nearly 50 people skidded off a cliff in Sri Lanka's central highlands, killing 21 and injuring 35 others, according to police.
The accident occurred last weekend near the town of Kotmale, about 86 miles east of Colombo, in a mountainous area known for its tea plantations. The bus, operated by a state-run company, overturned at the bottom of a steep precipice, police spokesman Buddhika Manathunga said.
Rescue workers and residents scrambled to pull survivors from the wreckage as footage aired on local television showed the bus lying on its side amid debris. The driver, who was injured and hospitalized, is among those being treated, Manathunga said.
Authorities have launched an investigation to determine whether the crash was caused by reckless driving or a mechanical fault.
Fatal bus crashes are common in Sri Lanka's hilly regions, where narrow, winding roads and poor maintenance contribute to frequent crashes.
Get a daily dose of Pittsburgh Star news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Pittsburgh Star.
More InformationINDIANAPOLIS, Indiana: Eli Lilly's obesity drug Zepbound led to nearly 50 percent more weight loss than Novo Nordisk's Wegovy in the...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: On May 9, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an order to reopen nearly 5,000 square miles of protected ocean near...
HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania: People in Pennsylvania who are 21 or older could soon be allowed to legally buy and use marijuana. The state...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) says it is taking urgent steps to fix problems that have caused hundreds...
North Carolina [US], May 15 (ANI): Sahith Theegala will have some great company in Sepp Straka in the opening round of the 107th PGA...
Washington DC [US], May 13 (ANI): The first look of 'The Paper', the upcoming mockumentary series set in the same universe as 'The...
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka: A passenger bus carrying nearly 50 people skidded off a cliff in Sri Lanka's central highlands, killing 21 and...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order this week to lower the cost of prescription drugs in the United...
PASADENA, California: A U.S. appeals court late last week upheld a federal law that stops felons from owning guns. The court rejected...
MOUNTAIN VIEW, California: Google will pay US$1.4 billion to settle allegations that it unlawfully collected user data in Texas without...
WARSAW, Poland: Poland has ordered Russia to shut down its consulate in Krakow following allegations that Moscow was involved in a...
NEW YORK CITY, New York: Norwegian energy company Equinor is on the brink of terminating its US$2.5 billion Empire Wind project in...