Sri Lanka, Sept. 5 -- A tragic bus accident on the Ella-Wellawaya main road last night (4) claimed the lives of at least 15 people, including the driver and nine women, police confirmed.

The incident occurred between the 23rd and 24th kilometre posts when a bus carrying about 30 municipal employees from Tangalle, returning from an excursion in Ella, veered off the road after colliding with a jeep and crashing into a roadside safety fence. The bus then plunged nearly 1,000 feet down a precipice while heading towards Wellawaya.

At the time of the tragedy, around 30 passengers were on board. Eighteen others - six men, five women, and five children - sustained injuries and were rushed to the Badulla Teaching Hospital. More than 15 patients ...