At least 18 dead including kids after bus plunges 100ft into ravine after ‘driver fell asleep’

AT least 18 people including children have died after a bus plunged 100ft into a ravine.

The bus was carrying dozens of passengers and their families across Mexico and left the road after the driver fell asleep.

The horror crash took place in the early hours of Thursday in the north bypass of the city of Tepic.

The bus - part of the Elite passenger line - had left Mexico City and was bound for Tijuana, making a stop in Guadalajara.

Emergency services attended the scene and rescued at least 20 injured passengers, including the driver, who is under police custody.

One woman's condition has been described as "delicate," the state government said.

Jorge Benito Rodriguez, security and civil protection secretary for Nayarit, described the rescue as "extremely difficult".

So far, it is known that five minors have died, reported.

All injured passengers were transferred to different hospitals in Tepic.

Two people from India were also identified among the injured.

Passengers from the Dominican Republic and several African countries were also identified as being onboard.

Neither the bus company nor Mexico's migration institute immediately responded to requests for comment.