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Five Britons die in Ecuador crash | Five Britons die in Ecuador crash |
(30 minutes later) | |
Five young British women have been killed and another 12 Britons injured in a bus crash in Ecuador. | |
The dead have been named as Rebecca Logie, 20, Lizzie Pincock, 19, Indira Swann, 19, Emily Sadler, 20, and Sarah Howard, 27. | The dead have been named as Rebecca Logie, 20, Lizzie Pincock, 19, Indira Swann, 19, Emily Sadler, 20, and Sarah Howard, 27. |
They were travelling with Warwick-based gap-year specialists VentureCo. | |
Their bus is thought to have collided with another vehicle, near Jipijapa, between Quito and Puerto Lopez, on Saturday at about 1800 local time. | |
The victims' next of kin have been informed. | |
None of the Britons injured are thought to be in a critical condition, the Foreign Office said. A French national and two Ecuadorians were also hurt. | |
VentureCo said the group was returning to Quito by air. | |
"Our deepest sympathy goes to those involved and their families and friends," it added in a statement. | |
Local press | Local press |
According to local newspaper La Hora, the women were killed when a bus from the company Reina del Camino hit another vehicle. | According to local newspaper La Hora, the women were killed when a bus from the company Reina del Camino hit another vehicle. |
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." |