21 killed, over 30 injured as bus falls into gorge in Sri Lanka’s central province

Columbia: At least 21 people were killed and more than 30 others injured when a bus plunged into a gorge in Sri Lanka’s central province on Sunday, police said.

The accident occurred in the Kotmale region as the driver attempted to take a left turn on a hilly road. The bus reportedly lost control and fell into a 100-meter-deep ditch.

The government-operated bus was carrying 75 passengers travelling from the southern pilgrimage site of Kataragama to the northwestern town of Kurunegala.

Minister of State for Transport and Highways Prasanna Gunasena confirmed the death toll and said the injured have been admitted to hospital. An investigation into the cause of the accident is underway.