The state-run passenger bus veered off the road and fell into a ravine in the early hours of May 11, in one of the country’s deadliest accidents in recent months.
By Joe D
KOTMALE, Sri Lanka, May 11 Early Sunday morning, a terrible bus accident in the mountainous south-central Sri Lankan village of Kotmale killed 21 people and injured 35 more.
Operated by a state-run corporation, the passenger bus was travelling from Kataragama to Kurunegala when it allegedly ran off a cliff and fell into a deep gorge. Investigations still ongoing will reveal the reason of the accident.
Initial reports from Sri Lankan officials suggested 8 on-scene fatalities. Police, nevertheless, changed the dead toll to 21 as rescue operations advanced. Among the victims are several men and women; local authorities verify the identity of the dead.
Crash Scene
Images from the aftermath and local TV coverage reveal a terrible picture. The bus lay inverted in the valley, its roof ripped off and the inner seats strewn around the hillside. Emergency personnel and local people helped to remove survivors, thus debris from the car was scattered around the accident site.
As officials conducted rescue and recovery efforts, several onlookers—including children—converged at the site.
Probe in Progress
Police spokeswoman Buddhika Manathunga said an investigation is under way to find out what made the car run off the road. Whether the event was caused by a mechanical malfunction, driver mistake, or dangerous road conditions is yet unknown.
Lying in a rough area famous for narrow and badly kept roads, Kotmale sadly sees frequent deadly incidents. Local authorities observed that bus accidents in steep locations such as this one are frequently related to a mix of speeding, worn-out infrastructure, and irresponsible driving.
Victims and Reaction
Nearby hospitals were where the injured were hurriedly sent for treatment. Sri Lankan officials have yet to identify individuals who perished pending family notifications.
For several hours, emergency services and police stayed on scene removing debris and gathering evidence.
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Commentary: A Deadly Pattern in the Hill
This event contributes to a disturbing trend of deadly road accidents in Sri Lanka’s hilly interior, where thousands of daily commuters rely on public transportation for survival. Long-time proponents of transportation safety have demanded improved road infrastructure, consistent car maintenance inspections, and more rigorous enforcement of driving rules in high-risk areas.
Many worry that without quick changes, disasters like the Kotmale catastrophe will persist.
Last Thought
Sri Lankan officials come under further scrutiny to raise safety standards all throughout the public transportation system—particularly in its most hazardous areas as relatives grieve the dead of this tragic accident.
