At least 15 people were killed when a bus carrying a group of passengers on a recreational trip plunged about 1,000 feet down a ravine along the Ella–Wellawaya road on 4 September night, police said.

According to the Police Media Division, the bus was carrying about 30 passengers, including the driver, when it veered off the road between the 23rd and 24th kilometre posts at around 9:00 p.m.

Police said the bus, which was travelling from Ella towards Wellawaya, had collided with an oncoming jeep before careening off the road into the ravine. The driver of the jeep has been arrested in connection with the accident.

Initial investigations revealed that the group, from the Tangalle area, had been returning from a leisure trip when the accident occurred.

Rescue operations were carried out jointly by the police, the army, the air force, the fire brigade, and local residents.

Police confirmed that among the dead were six men, including the bus driver, and nine women. No children were among the fatalities.

Six men, five women, three boys, and two girls were admitted to the Badulla Hospital with injuries. In addition, two individuals who helped rescue passengers from the wreckage were also injured and hospitalised.

Police said, “No children were killed. Five children sustained injuries.”

Police also confirmed that several of the passengers were employees of the Tangalle Urban Council.

The bodies of the deceased have been placed at the mortuaries of Diyatalawa, Badulla, and Bandarawela hospitals.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the accident may have been caused by excessive speed, which led the driver to lose control of the bus.

Ella Police are conducting further investigations.