21 killed in Thailand as bus plunges into ravine

Bangkok, Oct 24: Twenty-one people were killed and 18 others injured Thursday when a

plunged into a ravine in northern

, local media reported.

The bus, rented by a group of residents from Chiang Mai's Saraphi district who were returning home after visiting a temple in the neighbouring Lampang province, veered off a steep downhill road, rammed through the guardrail and fell into a 30 metre-deep ravine, Xinhua reported citing local media.

Twenty-one passengers were killed on the spot and 18 others, including the driver, were seriously injured and rushed to a nearby hospital.

An online report by the Thai News Agency put the death toll at 23.

Police said the driver was unfamiliar with the route and the bus had a brake problem.

IANS