At least 26 feared dead as Indonesian bus plunges a steep ravine

At least 26 people in Indonesia have died, with another 13 injured, after a bus plunged down a steep ravine and landed in a river.

Some 37 passengers, plus a driver, were on board the bus in South Sumatra province when it plunged around 100m (328ft) on Monday night.

The accident is reported to have happened at the Liku Lematang area around 23:15 local time (16:15 GMT).

Authorities have deployed 120 rescue workers to help survivors and retrieve the dead.

The cause of the accident is yet to be determined.

The bus left Bengkulu city, on Sumatra island, earlier on Monday.

According to bbc reports, the bus is believed to be traveling to the city of Palembang located several hours away.

Pagar Alam Police chief Dolly Gumara said the police were currently “prioritising” evacuating survivors.

He also called for victims’ families to help identify their relatives at the hospital.

Meanwhile, the roads around the site of the accident have been closed to the public until further notice.