Colombo

At least 11 people were killed and 40 others injured when a bus plunged into a river in Sri Lanka on Sunday. An officer gave this information.

The bus carrying over 67 passengers to Akkaraipaththu fell into the Mahaveli River, one of the four major rivers of the country.

Some people who fell into the river were rescued by the army and the villagers of the area.

Several passengers are believed to have been washed away and divers have been deployed to recover the bodies.

An eyewitness said the speeding bus hit the Kotalia bridge at Manampitiya and then fell into the river.

According to the police, the injured have been taken to Polonnaruwa Hospital and the bodies have been taken to the hospital.

The cause of the accident is believed to be negligent driving.