19 Dead as Bus Plunges into Ravine west of Algeria

Nineteen people were killed in northwestern Algeria early Sunday when the bus they were riding plunged into a ravine, APS reported.

Another 30 people were injured in the accident, which occurred near the city of Tiaret at around 2:00 am, public safety spokesman Farouk Achour told AFP.

The accident happened when the driver lost control of the bus at a bend near the town of Tiaret about 250 km (156 miles) west of the capital Algiers, APS said, citing local sources.

Authorities have adopted harsher fines and sanctions to curb road accidents which kill around 4,000 people every year in the North African country.