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)