At least 13 people have been killed in the US state of Texas after a bus carrying a Vietnamese church group crashed off a bridge into a ravine.
The bus, carrying 55 people, slid off the highway express bridge in Sherman town, about 60 miles (100 km) north of Dallas, at 0045 local time (0545 GMT).
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At least 20 people have been hospitalised, agencies reported.
Five people are believed to be in critical condition.
Initial reports said the bus lost control and smashed into the rail guard of the bridge. It apparently then skidded along the rail before sliding off the bridge.
At the site of the crash, the crumpled wreckage of the bus lay on its right side, littered with luggage, shopping bags and scattered clothing.
'Driver alive'
Officials at the scene said it was too early to comment on what caused to the bus to rear off the bridge.
Sherman police lieutenant Robert Fair told the Associated Press news agency: "We're not ruling out anything right now."
Reports suggested that a tyre on the bus may have blown or that the weather may have played a role as there was light rain in the area at the time.
Reports said the driver was alive and was currently with police officers.
According to Houston's KHOU-TV, the passengers were from the Vietnamese Martyrs Church of Houston who were on their way to Carthage, Missouri, for the Marian Days festival, an annual celebration to honour the Virgin Mary.
Local newspapers said a large section of the highway had been closed as ambulances and at least 13 helicopters rushed to the scene to ferry the wounded to several hospitals in the Dallas area.
(BBC)
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