Two Killed, 22 Injured After Bus Plunges Into Ravine

Two people were killed and at least 22 were injured when a bus carrying 35 passengers crashed into a ravine early Sunday, authorities said.

March 7, 2005

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (AP) -- Two people were killed and at least 22 were injured when a bus carrying 35 passengers crashed into a ravine early Sunday, authorities said.

A 25-year-old woman and a 23-year-old man died instantly when the bus plunged into the 7-meter-deep (20-feet-deep) ravine on an interstate near Sao Goncalo, a city 30 kilometers (18 miles) east of Rio de Janeiro, firefighters said.

The driver was hospitalized in serious condition and the other injured passengers suffered mostly minor wounds, said a firefighter.

Witnesses told local media the driver lost control after a group of men threw rocks at the bus to force it off the road in an alleged robbery attempt. Authorities could not immediately confirm the report.