ROME, July 29. /ITAR-TASS reporter Vera Shcherbakova /. The death toll caused by the bus accident in South Italy has reached 38 people. 36 bodies have been found at the accident's scene. Another two women have died at the hospital. 10 more bus passengers in grave state were taken to local hospitals.
The road accident took place on Sunday night on a local highway between Bari and Napoli, near the town of Avellino. The bus was driving a group of pilgrims to the Southern region of Campania, where they were to worship Saint Pio of Pietrelcina /1887-1968/, who was a popular contemporary catholic priest venerated as a saint.
According to preliminary information, the bus clashed with several cars and fell from a 25 meter height.
Brake failure is regarded as the main reason of the accident. Besides, this is a complicated road section, as it lies between hills and is rich in cliffs. According to another version, the driver has exceeded the speed limit. As survived witnesses say, the driver was forced to perform a maneuver to avoid clashing into an oncoming vehicle. As a result, the bus was pressed against the baluster that broke down, and the bus fell from the cliff. One more version is that a tyre blowout was the actual reason of the accident.
A further investigation is underway. Medicolegists will carry out a toxine probe of the death driver's body.