At least 31 dead in bus crash as packed vehicle plunges from bridge into valley after ‘driver lost control’ in Mali

AT least thirty one people were killed when a driver lost control of a packed bus violently flipping it upside down and sending it plunging off a bridge.

The bus had been travelling from Kenieba in Mali, Western Africa, to the neighbouring town of Burkina Faso on Tuesday.

At least 10 others were hurt - some suffering serious injuries.

Local officials said the likely cause was "the driver's failure to control the vehicle".

The transport ministry said in a statement: "A bus that was leaving Kenieba commune for Burkina Faso tipped off a bridge. The likely cause is the driver losing control of the vehicle."

It added that the victims included Malians and citizens of other West African countries.

The horror smash happened at around 5pm on the bridge crossing the Bagoé River.

Local reports that the thirty-one dead were killed "on the spot."

A press release stated: "The care of the victims is in progress".

The Minister of Transport and Infrastructure has expressed his condolences to the families and has wished a speedy recovery to the injured.

The Minister also called for strict compliance with the highway code in order to try and prevent further tragedies.

Road accidents are common in Mali and West Africa, where many roads and vehicles are in poor condition.

According to AFP, earlier this month 15 people were killed and 46 injured after a bus heading towards the capital of Bamako crashed into a truck.

Landlocked Mali is the second poorest country in the world with the average skilled workers annual salary at just £1,185 (£1 per day).

It comes as at least 19 people died following a head-on collision between a passenger bus and a freight lorry in Mexico.

A further 22 were injured as a result of the fireball crash, local authorities reported.

Almost 50 people were said to be on board the bus when disaster struck at 5.15am local time on January 30.

The incident took place on a highway in the township of Elota, near the port city of Mazatland in northern Mexico, director of the state civil defence office Roy Navarrete said.