Tragedy in Chin State: Dead Toll Rises as More Victims Succumb to Injuries

27 November 2009: 17 people have died in yesterday’s road tragedy, which now appears to be the single deadliest road accident ever in Chin State.

The latest information obtained by Chinland Guardian has confirmed that the dead toll has risen to 17 as of this afternoon. This includes 12 people who died instantly at the scene and five people who later succumbed to their injuries in Tedim hospital. As many as 36 people are now in Tedim hospital with serious bodily injuries.

“At least 7 people remain in ‘very critical conditions’ as a result of serious loss of blood,” said a local person contacted by Chinland Guardian. He added that the bodies of the victims have been transported to their respective villages.

The accident occurred near the village of Tualzaang, close to Vial Cian area located half way between Tedim and Tonzang of northern Chin State.

An ‘overloaded’ passenger bus serviced by a local company Chin Taungtan overturned yesterday morning in the rugged terrain of northern Chin State.

The bus was carrying Christian jubilee-goers enroute to Tedim Town to attend a centennial celberation marking the arrival of American missionary Rev. J Cope in the area one hundred year ago this month.

While the identities of the victims remain unknown, a local Tedim resident said The victims include people from Tonzang town, and the villages of Tuitum, Dui Mang, Kam Lai and An Lang.

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Chinland Guardian