25 Iraqis die as bus plunges into valley

Updated at: 1546 PST, Thursday, April 21, 2011
DAMASCUS: Twenty-five Iraqis died and 20 were injured Thursday when their bus hit two trucks and plunged into a valley between Damascus and the central city of Homs, the official news agency Sana said.

"The driver of the bus carrying the travellers along the road from Damascus to Homs lost control of his vehicle, which collided with two trucks. The bus then fell into a valley" from a height of 15 metres (yards), Sana said, citing the Damascus police chief.

"Twenty-five people died and 20 were injured. All the victims were Iraqi nationals," he said.

Around 20 ambulances ferried casualties to hospitals in Duma and Harasta, both close to Damascus. (AFP)