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Crash Kills 26 Tour Guides

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 17, 2008

EILAT - A bus filled with Russian tour guides crashed through a roadside barrier Tuesday and tumbled down a steep ravine in southern Israel, killing at least 26 people in Israel's worst traffic accident.

The bus lay on its side at the bottom of the slope, its windows smashed and a path of debris strewn along its path from the road. Soldiers and other rescue workers lined up bodies in white bags.

Officials said the 60 passengers on the bus had just arrived from St. Petersburg, Russia, to visit potential spots for tours and were heading for Eilat, a popular Red Sea resort.

The vehicle sped by in a no-passing zone, broke through a guard rail and rolled down the slope, said Rami Vazana, the driver of the bus that was passed.

"Dozens of wounded and dead were strewn along the slope. Most of them were thrown from the bus as it rolled," medic Gabi Baribo said.

Israel's rescue service said 24 people were declared dead at the scene, and Eilat's hospital said two more died later of injuries. Hospital officials said several more people were in critical condition.

The Associated Press

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