JAKARTA, Dec 25 (NNN-ANTARA) – The death toll of a fatal bus accident in Indonesia’s South Sumatra province, two days ago, rose to at least 28, with 13 others still missing, a senior official of a search and rescue office said today (Wednesday).
Thirteen others are treated in nearby Basemah Hospital, in Pagaralam district, for serious wounds, Yusuf Latief, head of the National Search and Rescue Office’s Communications for Media Section said.
A search and rescue mission for the missing passengers is underway, involving about 60 rescuers, who are focusing on the bus wreckage and areas along the river, Latief said.
The rescuers are also diving into some parts of the river to look for the victims, Latief added.
Meanwhile, a senior official of the Disaster Management Agency in the district, Hadie Wijaya, confirmed that the bus was carrying 54 people, before it plunged into the river, in a steep ravine in Perahu Dipo village, on Monday night.
“There are still bodies trapped inside the wreckage. Our personnel are also searching for the missing victims along the river,” he said.
Still, unfavourable weather condition is hampering the mission in the river, whose water surface may rise at any time, according to him.
In addition, Wijaya pointed out that scores of passengers were likely swept by the strong current during the mishap.– NNN-ANTARA