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Five Britons die in Ecuador crash Five Britons die in Ecuador crash
(about 1 hour later)
Five Britons have been killed and another 12 injured in a bus crash in Ecuador, the Foreign Office has said.Five Britons have been killed and another 12 injured in a bus crash in Ecuador, the Foreign Office has said.
The accident happened between Quito and Puerto Lopez on Saturday evening at about 1800 local time. The bus is thought to have collided with another vehicle, near Jipijapa, between Quito and Puerto Lopez, on Saturday at about 1800 local time.
British Embassy staff are providing consular assistance and are working with the tour company involved to inform the relatives of victims. British Embassy staff are providing consular assistance and are working with the tour company, VentureCo, to inform the relatives of victims.
A Foreign Office spokeswoman said the exact circumstances of the crash were not yet known. A French national and two Ecuadorians were also injured.
"We are not sure whether any other vehicles were involved. We are still trying to piece together all the details," she said. None of those hurt are thought to be in a critical condition, the Foreign Office said.
One French national and two Ecuadorians - the tour guide and driver - were also injured. None of those hurt are thought to be in a critical condition, the Foreign Office said. In a statement, Warwick-based VentureCo said the group was returning to Quito by air.
"Our deepest sympathy goes to those involved and their families and friends," it said.
Local pressLocal press
According to local newspaper La Hora, five British women were killed in Sancan, when a bus from the company Reina del Camino hit another vehicle. According to local newspaper La Hora, five British women were killed when a bus from the company Reina del Camino hit another vehicle.
It says they had been on a sightseeing trip to the beaches of southern Manabi when the bus crashed.It says they had been on a sightseeing trip to the beaches of southern Manabi when the bus crashed.
The paper reports the injured were taken to hospitals in Portoviejo, Manta and Jipijapa.The paper reports the injured were taken to hospitals in Portoviejo, Manta and Jipijapa.
Around 22,000 Britons visit Ecuador every year, according to the Foreign Office.Around 22,000 Britons visit Ecuador every year, according to the Foreign Office.
The South American country - which includes the Galapagos Islands - is known for its volcanoes, tropical forests and rich wildlife.The South American country - which includes the Galapagos Islands - is known for its volcanoes, tropical forests and rich wildlife.
The travel editor of the Independent newspaper, Simon Calder, said the country's infrastructure was basic.The travel editor of the Independent newspaper, Simon Calder, said the country's infrastructure was basic.
"This is a third world country with all the problems that come with that," he told the BBC."This is a third world country with all the problems that come with that," he told the BBC.
He said the operators "will certainly have gone to every length to make sure that the local bus company is reliable and safe".He said the operators "will certainly have gone to every length to make sure that the local bus company is reliable and safe".
"Unfortunately you cannot legislate against accidents.""Unfortunately you cannot legislate against accidents."