Bus runs over, kills 15 during Bolivian Carnival

LA PAZ, Feb 23 (Reuters) A bus plowed into a crowd of Carnival revelers in Bolivia and killed 15 people, local radio reported today.

The accident occurred last night on a highway running through the town of Huancane, in the Oruro region some 320 km south of La Paz, according to Catholic radio station Fides.

The Carnival of Oruro -- a mining city some 3,700 meters above sea level -- takes place during the latter half of February and is considered one of the greatest street celebrations in Latin America.

''The case is being investigated to establish who was responsible,'' a police spokesman told Fides.

Another radio station, Panamericana, reported the bus driver had fled the scene of the accident.

REUTERS PDS RN0122