A passenger bus fell off a cliff into a ravine in Sri Lanka on Sunday, resulting in 21 fatalities and 35 injuries, marking one of the deadliest transportation incidents in the country this year.
The incident took place in the early morning of May 11, 2025, near the village of Kotmale, about 86 miles east of Colombo, in the central mountainous tea-growing region of Sri Lanka.
Police spokesman Buddhika Manathunga said “21 people died and another 35 were being treated in hospitals.”
The state-operated bus was en route from Kataragama to Kurunegala, a journey of approximately 155 miles, when it deviated from the road and descended down the steep slope, as per police statements.
The driver was injured and was among those taken to nearby medical centers for care.
Initial reports from officials noted eight fatalities — five men and three women — but the death count nearly tripled as more bodies were found and some of the injured succumbed to their injuries.
Sri Lankan police have started an investigation to ascertain whether driver negligence or a mechanical issue with the bus led to the accident.
Local television visuals depicted rescue teams and bystanders aiding in the removal of injured passengers from the overturned bus located at the ravine’s bottom. Emergency personnel were seen navigating the challenging terrain while attempting to rescue individuals from the scene.
Images from the crash site displayed severe damage to the bus. The roof was detached from the main body, which was positioned diagonally on the slope. Several seats were dislodged, and belongings from inside the bus were scattered across the ravine.
Some reports suggested the crash might have occurred when the driver lost control while navigating a curve. Local residents played a vital role in the rescue operation, assisting in extracting individuals from the damaged vehicle and transporting them to hospitals.
A research study published in the National Library of Medicine indicates that government-run buses in Sri Lanka generally have a better safety record than private transport. The study observed that private buses have double the risk of accidents compared to government buses, likely due to factors like driver education, health screenings, and maintenance practices.
Fatal bus accidents are not rare in Sri Lanka, particularly in the nation’s mountainous areas. From 2020 to 2024, the country recorded 12,140 road accident deaths, with 198 fatal bus incidents reported in 2024 alone, according to local media reports.
The Sri Lankan government has decided to offer financial assistance to the families affected by the incident. Officials announced that one million Sri Lankan rupees would be paid as compensation to the families of each deceased individual.
Transportation specialists highlight several factors contributing to the high accident rate in Sri Lanka’s hill country, including poorly maintained roads, narrow routes with steep drops, and challenging weather conditions.
The Kotmale area is known for its winding mountain roads that pass through tea plantations, providing both picturesque and dangerous views of the surrounding valleys. These roads become particularly risky during early morning hours when visibility is often reduced.
This accident is among the most severe transportation disasters in Sri Lanka in recent times. In April 2005, a bus driver attempted to outrun a train at a level crossing, resulting in a collision that killed 37 passengers. More recently, in 2021, an accident in Passara claimed 13 lives, including the driver.
Sri Lanka’s roads are considered among the most hazardous globally, with the country recording an average of 3,000 road deaths annually, making road safety a significant public health issue for the island nation.
The identities of the victims have not yet been publicly disclosed as officials work to inform family members. The investigation into the precise cause of the crash is ongoing.
