At least 15 people, including the driver and nine women, were killed in a tragic bus accident on the Ella–Wellawaya main road last night (4th), police confirmed.
The accident took place between the 23rd and 24th kilometre posts when a bus carrying about 30 municipal employees from Tangalle, who were returning from an excursion in Ella, collided with a jeep, struck a roadside safety fence, and plunged nearly 1,000 feet down a precipice while heading towards Wellawaya.
Around 30 passengers were on board at the time. Eighteen survivors — six men, five women, and five children — were rushed to the Badulla Teaching Hospital with injuries, several of them in critical condition. More than 15 remain under treatment.
Two individuals who attempted to help with rescue efforts were also injured and admitted to hospital.
Authorities confirmed that emergency teams were deployed immediately to carry out rescue and recovery operations.
