A fatal bus accident leaves seven people dead when the vehicle plunges into the river in St. Petersburg, Russia

A bus carrying an estimated 20 passengers fell off a bridge and plunged into the Moika River in St. Petersburg, Russia. Officials said seven people were killed in the accident, which occurred on Friday. News of the tragedy prompted a very rapid response from emergency services and law enforcement.

The Russian Investigative Committee provided an update on the incident and confirmed the possibility of an increase in the death toll following the bus accident. The committee announced the opening of a criminal investigation into the incident, underlining the seriousness of the situation and the urgent need to determine the circumstances that led to the tragic event.

The Emergency Management Ministry had previously reported that divers were on site to facilitate the recovery of the submerged bus from the river. Attempts were being made to attach slings to the vehicle to lift it out of the water as part of the ongoing rescue operation.

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Preliminary information from law enforcement agencies revealed that there were about 20 people on board the ill-fated bus at the time of the accident. While traveling through the historic city center, the vehicle suffered a catastrophic loss of control, culminating in its abrupt plunge into the Moyka River.

Video footage capturing the harrowing moments before the crash circulated widely on Russian media platforms, offering insight into the sheer scale of the tragedy. Footage showed the bus swerving sharply on the road before plunging off the bridge and sinking into the river at an alarming speed, leaving onlookers stunned at the suddenness of the incident.

As the investigation progresses and authorities delve deeper into the circumstances surrounding the accident, questions remain about the factors that contributed to the fatal outcome. The incident is a stark reminder of the inherent risks associated with public transport and the need for strict security measures to protect the lives of passengers on Russia’s roads.

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