Over a dozen passengers were killed and about 38 injured in a bus accident on 16 March, on the Tachilek-Kengtung highway, Shan State East.

The injured passengers are being treated in Kengtung public hospital. However, many more passengers remain trapped under the capsized bus.

Hospital authorities said that 13 people died. Among them was a car driver.

But a local villager from Kengtung said, “Seventeen people died on the spot while some were trapped under the bus. Some were hurled out when the bus plunged down the ravine.”

The rescue operation is being carried out by local villagers and authorities, he said.

The incident took place between 1:30 and 2: 00 (Burma Standard Time) at Loi Pang Koi, a steep hill between Tachilek and Kengtung. The bus was going from Tachilek to Kengtung. It was carrying over 60 passengers. The bus was from Shwe Ye Kan Co. owned by Sai Long.

The bus was said to have been hit from the rear by a ten-wheel vehicle carrying cement bags whose brakes failed on a steep hill, according to another source.

“Then both rolled down the hill at the same time,” he said.

On that day, the Commander of the Triangle Region Command, Maj Gen Kyaw Phyoe was reported to have visited the hospital and met the injured passengers.