15 Jan 2016

Japan bus crash kills 14, injures 27

6:19 pm on 15 January 2016

A bus taking passengers to a ski resort in central Japan has veered off a mountain road, killing 14 people and injuring 27.

The bus crashed about 2am, killing 27 people, many reportedly in their 20s.

The bus crashed about 2am, killing 27 people, many reportedly in their 20s. Photo: AFP

The bus, with 41 people on board, was travelling overnight from Tokyo to a resort in Nagano prefecture.

The accident happened near the town of Karuizawa early on Friday (local time).

It is not immediately clear what caused the crash as there was no snow or ice on the road. Japan's transport ministry has launched an investigation.

Twenty-seven people were injured when the bus strayed onto the wrong side of the road and smashed through a guardrail, sliding several metres down the mountainside.

The bus was on its way to a ski resort when it crashed.

The bus was on its way to a ski resort when it crashed. Photo: AFP

There were two bus drivers on board, taking turns to drive, according to AP news agency.

Skiing and other winter sports are popular in Japan, which has extensive mountain ranges accessible from many of the country's biggest cities. Many people heading to the mountains use a bus for at least part of their journey.

-BBC