Morocco: Bus falls into ravine, 42 people die

At least 42 people have died and more than 20 were injured after a bus plunged off a cliff in Morocco, authorities said. Many of the injured are in critical condition.

Accident victims are being cared for in hospital - Photo: AP

The MAP news agency said the accident happened early morning local time in a mountainous area in Morocco. The car went off the road and fell into a 150m deep ravine. The cause of the accident is still unknown. Authorities said they will continue to investigate to find out the cause as soon as possible.

Most of the passengers on board were Moroccans and it is not yet known whether there were any foreigners. "We are still searching for bodies and injured people," a local official told AFP.

Immediately after the accident, King Mohammed VI sent his condolences to the victims' families and said he would pay for their travel and funeral expenses.

Morocco's Ministry of Transport said that last year, 4,000 people died in traffic accidents in the country, an increase of 11.6% compared to 2010, with 26 people dying in bus accidents.

According to youth - DT