A tragic accident in Sri Lanka’s mountainous hill country claimed the lives of 21 people and left 35 others injured when a passenger bus skidded off a cliff early Sunday morning. The accident occurred near the town of Kotmale, approximately 140 kilometers east of Colombo, in the tea-growing region of central Sri Lanka.
The bus, operated by a state-run company, veered off the narrow road and plunged down a precipice, overturning at the bottom. Rescue teams, along with local residents, swiftly arrived at the scene to assist the injured. Local television footage captured the horrific scene of the bus lying overturned while workers and bystanders helped transport the injured to safety.
Among the injured was the bus driver, who was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. At the time of the accident, around 50 people were aboard the bus, with many suffering injuries. The injured are currently being treated in local hospitals, some in critical condition.
A police spokesman, Buddhika Manathunga, confirmed the death toll of 21 and said that an investigation had been launched into the cause of the accident. Authorities are examining whether the accident was due to the driver’s negligence or a technical fault in the bus.
Bus accidents are a frequent occurrence in Sri Lanka, particularly in the mountainous regions, where narrow, poorly maintained roads and reckless driving are common contributing factors. Many such accidents, often fatal, have drawn attention to the need for improved road safety measures and better maintenance of public transport vehicles in the country.
The tragic incident has prompted renewed calls for stricter road safety regulations, especially in Sri Lanka’s hill country, where the risks of accidents are heightened due to the challenging terrain.
Sources By Agencies
