Additional Coverage:
Tragedy Strikes Sri Lanka’s Hill Country as Bus Plunges Off Cliff, Killing 21
Kotmale, Sri Lanka – A devastating bus accident in Sri Lanka’s central tea-growing region claimed the lives of 21 people and injured 35 others early Sunday. The passenger bus veered off a cliff near Kotmale, approximately 86 miles east of the capital, Colombo.
Rescue workers rushed to the scene, a challenging task given the mountainous terrain. Images from local television showed the overturned bus at the bottom of the precipice, as workers and bystanders struggled to free trapped passengers from the wreckage.
Police spokesman Buddhika Manathunga confirmed the death toll and stated that 35 individuals are currently receiving hospital treatment, including the bus driver. Nearly 50 people were aboard the state-run bus at the time of the accident.
An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the crash, with authorities focusing on potential driver error and mechanical failure. Tragically, fatal bus accidents are a recurring problem in Sri Lanka, often attributed to a combination of reckless driving, poorly maintained vehicles, and the country’s narrow, winding roads, particularly in mountainous areas.