Two Lao and two Chinese passengers died when a Chinese bus ran off the road and fell down a precipice in Nameuang village, Nan district, Luang Prabang province on Sunday night.
A senior official from the Nan Traffic Police Office, who asked not to be named, told Vientiane Times yesterday that according to initial reports, the Chinese driver and his 11 passengers were travelling from Vientiane to Luang Prabang province along a winding road when the driver lost control and the bus plunged 30-40 metres down a steep hillside.
During the incident, the two Lao and two Chinese passengers were killed instantly and another sustained critical injures.
Police said the bus was carrying only three to four Lao people. Police and local authorities have stored the victims’ bodies for safe keeping at the hospital in Luang Prabang province.
Police believe the bus was travelling at high speed when the driver lost control and the bus went off the road.
In another incident which occurred recently, two women were killed when a bus and a minivan were involved in a collision in Pakmy village, Sanakham district, Vientiane province.
According to initial reports, the two women died at the scene while the drivers of the two vehicles sustained injuries. Police are continuing their investigations.
According to the Traffic Police Department of the Ministry of Public Security, 331 road accidents occurred across the country from October 3-16, resulting in 38 fatalities.
The department’s figures showed that 49 people were critically injured in the accidents, 168 were less seriously injured and 193 escaped with minor injuries.
Eleven vehicles were written off, 216 sustained moderate damage and 201 vehicles sustained minor damage.
Vientiane topped the list with 68 accidents and six fatalities, while 107 people were injured and 128 vehicles were damaged.
Police said the number of accidents was higher than usual because of several festivals and celebrations taking place around the country, especially boat racing festivals and events to mark the end of Buddhist Lent.
Source: Vientiane Times
