Bus Plunges 300 Feet into Ravine; Driver Dead, Pregnant Woman Hospitalized

A passenger bus plunged over 300 feet into a ravine on the Loilem–Mongpawn road in southern Shan State, killing the driver and leaving a pregnant woman hospitalized in emergency condition, according to reports.

At around 6:30 PM on August 23, a microbus traveling from Loilem toward Mongpawn reportedly lost control and veered off the right side of the road, plunging over 300 feet into a ravine and overturning between mile markers (165/1) and (165/2) on the Loilem–Mongpawn–Hopong–Taunggyi Union Highway.

"Only the driver and two pregnant women were on the bus. They say the brakes failed. The driver died. The pregnant woman lost consciousness. She was taken to Loilem Hospital. The bus is beyond salvage," a local resident said.

Due to the vehicle plunge, the driver was killed and the pregnant woman was transported to Loilem Public Hospital, according to reports.

Similarly, on the afternoon of August 23, a private car plunged toward a riverbank past the Minbu signboard in Minbu Township, Magway Region, leaving the driver unconscious and some passengers with minor injuries, according to reports.