38 people killed, 18 hospitalized after 2 buses crash head-on in Papua New Guinea

38 people killed in Papua New Guinea bus crash

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea — Police say 38 people were killed and 18 others hospitalized after two speeding buses crashed head-on while trying to drive around potholes.

They say the two 25-seat buses were overloaded when they collided in Morobe province on Papua New Guinea’s northeast coast on Tuesday.

Morobe Assistant Police Commissioner Giossi Labi said: “This accident appears to have occurred when both drivers tried to avoid potholes, and in the process collided.”

“It is one of the saddest days in the history of road accidents,” he said.

Road conditions through the Pacific island nation are poor and speeding is common, leading to frequent and serious crashes.