Santiago, Chile – At least 25 people died early Wednesday when a bus plunged into a river in central Chile, authorities said.
Twenty-six others were injured in the accident outside the town of San Fernando when the bus fell into the Tinguiririca River about 140 kilometers (87 miles) south of Santiago.
The vehicle, operated by the “Tur Bus” company and full to capacity, was bound for the port city of Talcahuano when, for unknown reasons, it struck the guard rail and toppled over into the water.
The driver was among the fatalities, along with an attendant and 23 passengers, police said. Three of the injured were described in critical condition.
Some 150 police officers and emergency workers from local towns worked for hours to pull survivors and bodies from the water.
