In the Russian city of St. Petersburg, a bus falls off a bridge, killing 7 people | National News

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (AP) — A bus veered off a bridge and plunged into a river in St. Petersburg, Russia’s second-largest city, on Friday, killing seven people, according to officials.

The Investigative Committee, Russia’s leading criminal investigation agency, reported the death toll. It did not say how many others were injured, but the Emergencies Ministry had previously said six people removed from the bus were in critical or serious condition.

According to Russian news, 15 people were on the city bus when it broke a barrier and plunged into the Moika River in central St. Petersburg. Six of those on board climbed out of the water on their own.

Surveillance video released by Russian media showed the bus driving fast, turning sharply onto the bridge and colliding with another vehicle before breaking through the barrier and falling into the water.

Authorities in St. Petersburg said the owner of the bus was fined 23 times for various violations. Most of the city’s bus services are operated by private companies.

The bus driver was arrested by the police. His wife was quoted by Russian media as saying that managers forced him to work a morning shift after he had worked 20 hours the previous day and had virtually no rest.

Authorities launched a criminal investigation into alleged traffic violations and unsafe travel services.

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