11 die as bus falls into ravine

11 die as bus falls into ravine

SUBANG, West Java: Eleven people were killed and 15 others
injured when a bus heading for Central Java from Jakarta plunged
into 30-meter deep ravine in Subang on Thursday.

Eyewitnesses said that the 26-seat minibus was traveling at a
moderate speed when it arrived at a sharp turn in the village of
Sindangsari in Cisalak district, some 30 kms southeast of Subang.

"The driver failed to control the steering wheel. He most
likely didn't know the area very well," a local said.

The driver, Sahiran (49), was slightly injured.

Survivor Jumadi said the bus's passengers were all relatives
who left Bekasi Timur at 7 a.m. on Thursday for Gunung Kidul,
Yogyakarta.

Ciereng hospital in Subang had identified only six out of the
11 victims. They are Sumardi (35), Suparjo (27), Wastino (32),
Lukito, Yanto Panti and Fitri Sari Utami. The ages of the last
four victims are as yet unknown.

"The other five victims have not been identified," a hospital
official said. (43/sur)