Tragedy in Sri Lanka: 21 Killed as Overcrowded Pilgrim Bus Falls Off Cliff

The situation has caused even more worry among the community and officials, as they suspect that carelessness and inadequate supervision may have contributed to this tragedy.

Some witnesses have mentioned the driver’s unusual actions just before the accident, while others believe that the bus company may have neglected necessary maintenance due to financial constraints.

Furthermore, inquiries are being raised regarding the safety of a vehicle that was excessively loaded on a perilous mountain road.

With rumors swirling about potential corruption and lack of enforcement in the state-run transport sector, many are demanding a thorough investigation to uncover the truth behind this deadly accident before more lives are lost. 

In Sri Lanka, a densely populated passenger bus fell off a cliff, leading to the tragic loss of 21 lives and causing injuries to at least 24 individuals. 

The devastating accident, one of the deadliest in sri lanka in recent decades, occurred early sunday morning in a mountainous area near kotmale, about 86 miles east of colombo, the country’s capital. 

The bus, which was owned by the state, was transporting around 70 passengers, exceeding its maximum capacity by about 20 individuals, according to the authorities. 

‘we are investigating whether the crash was caused by a mechanical failure or if the driver fell asleep at the wheel,’ a local police officer, who wished to remain anonymous, said

Deputy transport minister Prasanna Gunasena, who was present at the accident site, confirmed that the injured individuals had been transported to two nearby hospitals for medical treatment. The bus was said to be carrying a sizable group of Buddhist pilgrims. 

‘twenty-one people have died, and we are working to identify the victims,’ gunasena stated He also stressed that if the local community had not assisted in rescuing the injured from the wreckage and transporting them to hospitals, the death toll could have been even more significant. 

Pictures captured from the location depicted the overturned bus positioned at the base of a cliff. The car collided with a tea plantation, resulting in the roof and side panels being torn off, and more than half of the seats being ripped from the floor. 

The motorist was among those admitted to the medical facility with wounds. 

One person who managed to escape the bus accident, speaking to a reporter without revealing their identity, mentioned that they only suffered minor injuries due to their seat being positioned near the front of the bus.

‘The bus began tilting to the left as the driver maneuvered through a curve, eventually losing control and tumbling down the cliff,’ he clarified. 

The bus was making its way around 155 kilometers from Kurunegala in the central part of Sri Lanka to Kataragama, a well-known pilgrimage site in the southern region. 

Tragic bus accidents are unfortunately frequent in Sri Lanka, particularly in hilly areas. They frequently occur due to careless driving and roads that are not well-maintained or wide enough. 

Sri Lanka’s roads are widely regarded as some of the most perilous in the world, resulting in approximately 3,000 traffic-related fatalities each year. 

Sunday’s accident is considered one of the most devastating bus crashes in Sri Lankan history, following the tragic collision between a bus and a train at a level crossing in Polgahawela in April 2005, which claimed the lives of 37 individuals. The motorist behind the bus was fortunate to escape with only slight harm.

In March 2021, a private bus tragically fell off a cliff near Passara, approximately 100 miles away from the most recent accident site, resulting in the loss of 13 lives, including the driver. 

This devastating incident follows the unfortunate demise of a tourist who lost their life after falling from a train in Sri Lanka while leaning out of an open door. 

In February, Olga Perminova, 53, tragically lost her life when she leaned out of the iconic Podi Menike train line to take a photo. While clinging to the rails and peering out of the carriage, she accidentally hit a rock and sustained serious head injuries. 

In addition to recent tragedies, two tourists, including a young British influencer, tragically lost their lives in Sri Lanka after being poisoned by pesticides used to eliminate bed bugs at their hostel. 

Ebony Mcintosh, a 24-year-old from Derby, fell ill shortly after embarking on her dream vacation and was admitted to the hospital along with other guests who experienced respiratory issues, nausea, and vomiting. 

Unfortunately, a person of African descent and a German visitor who also exhibited similar symptoms passed away shortly after being admitted to the hospital. According to reports, the use of toxic pesticides 72 hours prior in a neighboring room is believed to be the cause of the poisoning. 

This unfortunate series of events underscores the persistent challenges sri lanka encounters in terms of transportation safety and public health. The presence of congested vehicles on roads that are not well-maintained poses a significant threat to numerous lives, particularly in the mountainous areas of the country.

In light of recent incidents where tourists have been harmed and dangerous conditions have been encountered, these tragedies emphasize the immediate necessity for more stringent safety measures, better infrastructure, and heightened awareness to prevent further loss of life. In the wake of the tragedy, the nation grieves the loss of lives, serving as a poignant reminder of the critical need for constant vigilance and proactive measures to safeguard the well-being of both residents and visitors.