1 April
A bus plunged down 200 feet gorge in Bago Yoma hills, Ottwin Township, Bago Region, after the driver reportedly lost control, leaving 16 passengers dead, and 16 others injured.
The mishap occurred about 7.30 p.m. at milepost 71/7 on the Mayan bridge Ottwin Pauk Khaung road, near Kyat Shar village in Ottwin Township. The bus was heading to Paukkhaung Town from Ottwin Town with 40 passengers on board, when the driver, identified as Toe Maung, also known as Aung Thura, 34, lost control.
The bus hit a signal beside the road and then plunged down a hill. Sixteen passengers died on the spot, while 16 more were seriously injured and rushed to the Ottwin General Hospital, said police. “The accident happened in the evening. Most of the people died in the accident. We were trying to retrieve the bodies till now. The injured were sent to Ottwin and Taungoo general hospitals. I think, around 25 passengers are undergoing medical treatment at the hospitals. The bus conductors died, while the driver was injured. He was arrested by the Ottwin police,” said Sayadaw U Tay Zaw from the Yin Khon Than Shin social association. The driver has been booked for reckless driving under Sections 304(A)/338/337 of the Penal Code.—Phyo Ko Lin (Nyaung Wine) (Translated by Hay Mar)
