36 die as Ecuadorean bus plunges off cliff; 12 others reported injured

36 die as Ecuadorean bus plunges off cliff

QUITO, Ecuador — Ecuadorean officials say a bus has run off the road and plunged down a cliff, killing at least 36 people.

Police and the local fire department say the accident occurred at 3:20 a.m. (4:20 EDT; 0820 GMT) in the area of La Delicia, about 55 miles (95 kilometers) south of Quito.

Silvia Zumba of the Latacunga police says police are still trying to identify victims from the overturned bus, which was headed from the city of Cuenca to Quito.

Officials say at least 12 people are badly injured. The cause is under investigation.