Rescuers work at the accident site where a double-decker bus overturned in New Territories in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, south China, Feb. 10, 2018. (Xinhua/Wang Shen)
HONG KONG, Feb. 10 (Xinhua) -- At least 18 people were killed on Saturday after a double-decker bus overturned in China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).
The accident happened at 6:15 p.m. local time (1015 GMT), when a bus on its way to Tai Po from Shatin racecourse toppled to its left on Tai Po Road, New Territories, leaving long braking marks and destroying a bus station on roadside.
Police told Xinhua earlier that 19 people were killed but the death toll was later revised to 18, including 15 men and three women.
Most of the passengers were horse racing fans, as the bus was travelling on a special route for horse racing days.
The bus had been running on high speed before the accident, according to some of the passengers.
Rescuers cut open the top of the bus to save the passengers trapped inside.
The injured have been rushed to hospitals, while the site of the accident has been cordoned off.
Godwin So Wai-kei, general manager of Kowloon Motor Bus Company Limited which the bus belonged to, said the company will offer 80,000 HK dollars (10,256 U.S. dollars) as a condolence allowance for the families of each victim.
The driver of the bus joined the company in 2014. So far there is no sign of fatigue driving when the accident occurred, said the general manager.
