Some 38 dead in Italy bus crash

The death toll of a bus crash in southern Italy last night has risen to 38, said authorities on Monday. The bus, which was travelling at high speed, had crashed into several cars before slamming a road barrier and plunging off a viaduct 30 meters into a ravine underneath, Italian police announced Sunday morning. The incident had occurred just before midnight under what were said to be "mysterious circumstances". The bus was carrying the 48 passengers on a highway that links western and eastern Italy across the south, before it crashed in the small town of Avellino, just outside of Naples. The fatalities had increased today after two of the people injured in the accident died this morning while being treated at hospital, with another 10 - including three children - still receiving medical attention, some for serious injuries. Investigations have been opened into the accounts of the crash. (end) mn.sd KUNA 291253 Jul 13NNNN