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  World   Middle East  13 May 2017  Turkey: 20 killed, 11 injured after tourist bus plunges off road

Turkey: 20 killed, 11 injured after tourist bus plunges off road

AFP
Published : May 13, 2017, 6:35 pm IST
Updated : May 13, 2017, 6:35 pm IST

The accident occurred in a hilly road and the bus plunged into a precipice after smashing through the crash barrier.     

20 fatalities and 11 other seriously injured in a bus crash in southwest Turkey tourist town. (Representational Image/AP)
 20 fatalities and 11 other seriously injured in a bus crash in southwest Turkey tourist town. (Representational Image/AP)

Istanbul: At least 20 people died and 11 were injured Saturday when a bus carrying Turkish tourists plunged off a road near the southwestern sea resort of Marmaris.

"Sadly, we have had 20 fatalities and 11 other seriously injured," said Amir Cicek, the governor of Mugla province, who said the bus was carrying about 40 people, many of whom were women.             

The accident occurred in a hilly road and the bus plunged into a precipice after smashing through the crash barrier.     

Television reports showed that the bus landed on a lower section of the road, and Cicek said NTV television that an investigation was underway.         

"The bus's brakes may have malfunctioned," he said.

The Hurriyet newspaper quoted Marmaris mayor Ali Acar as indicating an "error by the driver", without giving further details.

Other media outlets reported that the bus left from the western city of Izmir carrying only women and children who were on a trip for Mothers' Day, celebrated in Turkey on Sunday.     

Marmaris is one of the country's main resorts on the Mediterranean, and a popular weekend destination for many Turks as temperatures climb.

Tags: bus accident, 20 people died, turkey bus accident, turkish tourist bus, marmaris sea resort
Location: Turkey, Istanbul, Istanbul