At least 21 die in Sri Lanka after bus carrying pilgrims veers off cliff

11-May-2025

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At least 21 people have been killed and many others injured when a bus carrying dozens of Buddhist pilgrims in central Sri Lanka careened off a cliff, according to authorities.

The crash took place early on May 11 in a mountainous area near the town of Kotmale, about 140km (86 miles) east of the capital, Colombo.

“Twenty one have died and we are trying to identify the victims,” Deputy Minister of Transport and Highways Prasanna Gunasena told local media.

The toll could have been higher, the minister added, if not for local residents helping pull people from the mangled wreckage and rushing them to hospital.