Swiss bus plunges into ravine

At least 12 people were killed and 15 seriously injured when a bus plunged into a ravine in southwestern Switzerland yesterday.

The bus fell about 250 metres when it slid off a wet road, about 25 kilometres from the Great St Bernard tunnel which links Switzerland and Italy, a spokesman for the regional Valais police said.

More than 100 emergency workers including mountain guides were at the scene, but bad weather hindered their progress and grounded a rescue helicopter.

They said some passengers had been thrown out of the bus as it fell into the ravine near the village of Orsieres at 9:50 a.m. (0750 GMT).

Police said six women, five men and a teenager were killed. The bus was carrying 24 passengers who were heading for Savona on Italy's Mediterranean coast for a cruise.

Two drivers and one hostess were also on the bus, which had started its journey in Kallnach, near the capital of Berne.