Sri Lanka bus crash kills 15

A tragic road accident in Sri Lanka has left at least 15 people dead and 16 others injured, including five children, after a passenger bus veered off a cliff near Wellawaya. The bus, reportedly traveling at excessive speed, collided with another vehicle before breaching guardrails and plummeting nearly 1,000 feet down a steep slope. Emergency responders, along with nearby tourists and healthcare workers, rushed to the scene to assist, but rescue operations were severely hindered by the rugged terrain.

The bus was carrying nearly 30 passengers who were returning from a local outing when it lost control on a mountainous road. Initial investigations indicate that the driver was speeding at the time of the collision, which caused the bus to crash into guardrails before falling off the cliff. Eyewitness accounts describe a chaotic scene, with the conductor shouting warnings to passengers just before the bus plunged down the precipice.

This incident is reminiscent of a similar tragedy in May, when an overcrowded state-owned bus skidded off a cliff in Kotmale, resulting in 21 to 22 fatalities. Sri Lankan officials have long warned about the high incidence of bus accidents in the country, particularly in hilly regions where narrow roads, unpredictable weather, and reckless driving often lead to deadly outcomes. The latest crash has reignited calls for improved road safety measures, including stricter enforcement of speed limits and better maintenance of the roads.

As the investigation unfolds, authorities are examining the bus's mechanical systems, the condition of the road, and the actions of both drivers involved in the initial collision. The community is mourning the loss of the victims, many of whom were employees of the Tangalle Municipal Council, and their absence will be deeply felt in their hometown.

Photos from the scene show the bus overturned at the bottom of the mountainside, with its roof partially ripped off and debris scattered across the area. Hospital officials reported that several of the injured are in critical condition, and the local community has rallied to support the victims and their families.

The accident highlights the urgent need for reforms in road safety in Sri Lanka, where deadly bus incidents are a recurring nightmare.