Bus accident kills 13, injures 37 in Ecuador

QUITO. December 27. KAZINFORM At least 13 people died and 37 others injured Wednesday when a bus felt into a ravine in Tungurahua province in central Ecuador, officials said.
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According to local daily "El Universo" the bus apparently had lost the brakes, rolled over and felt into a more than 200-meter depth ravine.

The accident occurred Wednesday at 0930 local time (1430 GMT) in La Joaquina sector, in Tungurahua province.

Lira Villaba, governor of Tungurahua province, told local press that the accident occurred somewhere between Ambato, capital of the province, and Pillaro town. Preliminary investigation showed brake failure was the probable cause.

More than 20 ambulances moved the injured people to several local hospitals in Ambato and Pillaro. The victims had been taken to Ambato's regional hospital.

"Afterwards, all was confusing. Three people died aside me. I was saved but this is shocking," said one of the survivors.

In Ecuador, road accidents are a serious problem. Each year, about 33 people die per 100,000 residents, which is one of the highest mortality rate in Latin America.

Source: Xinhua

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