A bus carrying pilgrims overturned after encountering a wild elephant near Buttala on the Kataragama road, resulting in injuries to passengers. Police are investigating the incident.
A bus transporting pilgrims overturned following an encounter with a wild elephant on the Kataragama–Buttala Road on September 3rd. The vehicle, which had been traveling from Chilaw to the Kataragama area, lost control when the elephant approached it near the Buttelala region bordering Yala National Park.
According to police statements, the wild elephant approached the bus apparently in search of food. Accounts of the encounter vary between sources: one police account indicates the elephant came to the driver's side when the vehicle lost control, while another reports the elephant inserted its trunk into the bus and pushed the vehicle, causing it to roll backwards before veering off the road and overturning. The exact sequence and nature of the elephant's contact with the bus remains unclear from available reports.
The number of injured passengers is reported differently across sources, ranging from 10 to 25 individuals. According to one account, approximately 25 passengers sustained minor injuries, with 13 admitted to Kataragama Hospital and 12 transferred to Hambantota Hospital. Another source reports 24 injured passengers initially admitted to Kataragama District Hospital with 12 later transferred to Hambantota General Hospital. A third source indicates around 10 passengers were injured and admitted to Kataragama Hospital. Hospital sources confirmed that none of the injured were in serious condition.
Police have stated that investigations into the incident are underway. The passengers were reportedly residents of the Chilaw area.