China
19:43, 10-Feb-2018
Driver arrested in Hong Kong bus accident, at least 19 die
["china"]
Share
Copied
At least 19 people were killed and 62 injured when a double-decker bus flipped on its side on Saturday evening on Tai Po Road in Hong Kong, police said.
The 30-year-old driver, surnamed Chen, was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving. Passengers said the bus had been running at high speed.
The part-time driver was reportedly 10 minutes late and in a bad mood before setting out.
A rescue operation is underway after a bus flipped on its side on Tai Po Road in Hong Kong. /CGTN Photo
A rescue operation is underway after a bus flipped on its side on Tai Po Road in Hong Kong. /CGTN Photo
The KMB route 872 bus was traveling from Sha Tin racecourse to Tai Po Central when the incident happened at around 6:00 p.m local time.
A total of 65 people were taken to hospital, including 10 in critical condition.
Rescue officials at the site of the accident on Tai Po Road in Hong Kong /CGTN Photo
Rescue officials at the site of the accident on Tai Po Road in Hong Kong /CGTN Photo
Chief Executive of Hong Kong Carrie Lam cancelled her original plans for the evening and expressed her condolences to the families of the victims.
The investigation into the accident will be independently conducted and measures will be taken to ensure the safety of public transportation, Lam told reporters.
On Saturday, the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council sent condolences to the SAR over the tragedy, expressing their deepest sympathy to the injured people and the families of the victims.
The bus accident is one of the worst in Hong Kong history. Last September, a bus smashed through railings when it mounted the pavement, killing three people and injuring 20.