VIENTIANE, July 31 (Xinhua) -- Thirty-nine people sustained injuries when a bus overturned in central Laos' Borikhamxay province, Lao state-run media Vientiane Times reported on Monday.
Local rescue team initially provided first-aid and help to the 18 people who sustained moderate injuries and sent them to the hospital in capital Vientiane.
Meanwhile, people who sustained minor injuries received first-aid before being sent to a hospital in Thaphabath district of the province, some 130 km southeast of Vientiane.
The accident happened at about 9:30 p.m. local time on Sunday in Nakhaen village, when the bus was travelling from Vientiane to Attapue province in southern Laos, Head of Security Office of Thaphabath District, First Lieutenant Arlick Phommachanh told Vientiane Times on Monday.
According to the initial investigation by police, they believe that the bus was proceeding at excess speed inappropriate for the road conditions.
However, police are still investigating the precise cause of the incident, said the report.
The Traffic Police Department under Lao Ministry of Public Security reported that in July there were 408 accidents recorded nationwide, including 68 fatalities, 635 people injured and 760 vehicles damaged.
About 90 percent of accidents involve drunken driving, speeding and other violations of the traffic rules. Most accidents occur on weekends and special occasions when people get together to drink.
