17 killed in eastern Brazil bus crash

SAO PAULO — Seventeen people were killed and more than 20 others injured on Sunday when a bus fell into a ravine in the eastern Brazilian state of Alagoas, said local authorities.

According to the fire department, the bus carrying 40 passengers lost control and plunged into the ravine in the mountains area of Uniao dos Palmares municipality.

The state government has vowed to provide full assistance to the victims’ families and declared three days of mourning.

The cause of the accident is under investigation.

XINHUA