At least 21 people lost their lives and several others were hurt when a bus transporting Buddhist pilgrims fell off a cliff in central Sri Lanka, according to official reports.
The accident happened in the early hours of Sunday near the mountainous town of Kotmale, roughly 86 miles from the capital city, Colombo.
The state-operated bus had been travelling from Kataragama, a popular pilgrimage destination, to Kurunegala, located about 155 miles away.
Deputy Minister Prasanna Gunasena confirmed the death toll and added that 14 individuals were receiving medical care after suffering injuries in the crash.
Video broadcasts showed the wrecked bus at the bottom of the slope, as local volunteers assisted in rescuing those trapped inside.