At least 21 people were killed and 24 others injured early Sunday morning after a packed passenger bus plunged into a ravine in central Sri Lanka, according to officials.
The accident occurred in the hilly Kotmale region as the bus, carrying around 70 passengers lost control and veered off the road during a nighttime journey. The vehicle was en route from Kataragama in southern Sri Lanka to Kurunegala, approximately 250 kilometres away.
Deputy Transport Minister Prasanna Goonasena confirmed the fatalities and said efforts were underway to identify the victims. Injured passengers were transported to nearby hospitals for treatment.
Authorities reported that the driver lost control while navigating a bend, causing the bus to fall into the ravine. A survivor said the vehicle had been leaning to the left before it crashed.
Police have launched a full investigation to determine whether mechanical failure or driver fatigue was to blame. A senior officer, speaking anonymously, said both scenarios are under consideration.
This marks Sri Lanka’s deadliest road accident in nearly two decades, following a 2005 incident in which a train collision killed 37 people in the northwest.
Sri Lanka has long struggled with road safety, with nearly 3,000 traffic-related deaths recorded annually.
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