AT LEAST 12 KILLED AFTER BUS PLUNGES INTO RAVINE

Bandar Lampung, Dec 19 (ANTARA) - At least 12 people were killed after a bus carrying a wedding delegation plunged into a ravine at Tebing Batu in the Bukit Barisan National Park, between West Lampung and Bengkulu, in Sumatra, on Friday.
West Lampung police chief Adjunct Senior Commissioner Muhammad Muslim Siregar confirmed that evacuation of the victims had been carried out and their families had already been notified.
He said the bus was on its way from Muaradua, Oku Selatan, to Manna in Bengkulu carrying 38 passengers and plunged into a 60-meter-deep ravine at about 1.30 pm.
As a result of the incident, seven people died on the spot while five others at a nearby community healthcare center.
Regarding the cause of the accident, he said it was still being investigated but possibly a failed brake system and the driver's lack of experience in covering the area.
According to reports, a truck carrying medical equipment belonging to the Bengkulu district administration also slipped in the area.
***7***