At least 21 die in Sri Lanka after bus carrying pilgrims veers off cliff

The mishap takes spot adjacent Kotmale, astir 140km (86 miles) eastbound of Colombo, successful a mountainous country of cardinal Sri Lanka.

At slightest 21 radical person been killed and galore others injured erstwhile a autobus carrying dozens of Buddhist pilgrims successful cardinal Sri Lanka careened disconnected a cliff, according to authorities.

The clang took spot aboriginal connected Sunday successful a mountainous country adjacent the municipality of Kotmale, astir 140km (86 miles) eastbound of the capital, Colombo.

Deputy Minister of Transport and Highways Prasanna Gunasena, portion confirming the fig of deaths, told section media that astatine slightest 14 others were wounded and being treated successful hospitals.

Television footage showed the autobus overturned astatine the bottommost of a precipice portion volunteers helped rescue injured radical from the rubble.

The vehicle, operated by a state-run autobus company, was travelling from the pilgrim municipality of Kataragama successful the southbound to the cardinal metropolis of Kurunegala, astir 250km (155 miles) away.