Taiwan bus crash death toll rises to 33

A tour bus that overturned Monday evening on a highway in Taipei has left 33 people dead as of Tuesday afternoon, according to local authorities.

The bus was carrying 44 people, including the driver and a tour guide, most of whom were senior citizens. Thirty people were confirmed dead at the site, and a further three were announced dead after medical treatment failed, the local fire authority said.

The remaining 11 passengers are receiving treatment in six hospitals.

Families of the victims arrived at the site after the accident, chanting sutras and praying.

There were no tourists from the Chinese mainland or foreign countries on the bus.

While returning from a one-day cherry blossom tour in Taichung city, the bus, which was suspected of speeding, crashed into a guardrail at about 9:06 p.m, veering off the highway in Nangang district. Authorities have not determined the cause of the accident.

Cranes hoisted the bus at around 12:00 p.m. Monday, with the roof almost separated from the bodywork due to the hard crash.

The 19-year-old bus was run by Taipei-based Dielianhua travel agency, which has been reported for traffic violations before.