Bus crashes into logging truck in Russia, kills at least 15

MOSCOW – A bus and a logging truck collided in central Russia, leaving at least 15 people dead, regional police said Thursday.

Police in Russia’s Mariy El region said the truck and bus crashed Thursday evening outside the regional capital of Yoshkar Ola, which is 765 kilometres (475 miles) east of Moscow. Mariy El Governor Alexander Yevstigneyev told Rossiya 24 television that the bus drove into oncoming traffic lane as it was trying to overtake another vehicle and ended up crashing into the logging truck.

Local police said late Thursday the death toll climbed to 15 after one woman died on the way to the hospital. Four other people have been hospitalized, two of them in grave condition, authorities said.

Police suggested earlier that weather might have been a factor. Heavy snow was reported in the area.

Russia’s transportation ministry has ordered authorities to check into the company that operated the bus.