Bus crash kills 15 pilgrims

An overcrowded bus carrying dozens of Buddhist pilgrims crashed into a precipice in Sri Lanka yesterday, killing 15 and injuring at least 30, local police said.

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Among the worst road accidents in the country in decades, the state-owned bus was travelling through the central hilly region of Kotmale when the driver lost control and it veered off a cliffside road before dawn, police said.

It was carrying around 70 passengers — about 20 more than its capacity — police said, adding that an investigation was underway.