Sri Lanka bus plunges off precipice, 15 dead

September 06, 2025 / 12:13 AM

Sharjah24 - AFP: A Sri Lankan bus carrying local tourists visiting picturesque tea plantation hill towns plunged nearly 1,000 feet (300 meters), resulting in the deaths of 15 people, according to police reports on Friday.

Details of the incident

The accident occurred on Thursday night in the mountainous Ella area, located approximately 130 kilometers (81 miles) east of the capital. In addition to the fatalities, 16 others on board were injured.

Circumstances of the crash

The group was returning home after a holiday in the cooler hills when the bus collided with another vehicle, crashed through guardrails, and fell over the side of the cliff.

Previous accidents

This incident marks the worst bus crash since May, when 23 passengers lost their lives in a similar accident in Kotmale.

Road safety in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is known for its winding roads, which are considered among the most dangerous in the world. The island nation, home to 22 million people, experiences an average of 3,000 road fatalities each year.