2LT International News

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.