Accident kills four during Ka Htein festival in Arakan

by Mizzima News
Monday, 02 November 2009 18:39

New Delhi (Mizzima) – Four passengers were killed in a bus accident in Tungup town in Burma’s western Arakan State on Saturday while returning from a local monastery during the Ka Htein Festival, celebrated by Buddhist devotees, local residents said.

An official of the Aung Thitsar bus line, to which the bus belonged, said the accident took place on the way back from the Ka Htein festival being held at a Buddhist monastery about 10 miles outside Taungup town.

“The bus careened off the road and crashed, while returning from the Kin Taung monastery. There were about 10 vehicles in a convoy going for the festival. The accident killed two teenagers, (a brother and sister), and a youth of about 23 on the spot,” the local resident said.

Another woman reportedly died at the township hospital.

The Hyundai Company made bus was carrying about 70 to 80 passengers. About 40 people were said to be injured. The driver of the bus fled, the official of the Aung Thitsar bus line said.

“The driver was said to be drunk. He fled as soon as the bus veered off the road,” the local resident told Mizzima.

Ka Htein is a Buddhist festival, when devotees donate gifts to monks, who have completed their lent. It is usually held in monasteries. Annually, the Aye Yeik Nyeing bus depot in Taungup organises such festivals for donation to the monasteries.

The ill fated bus was a member of the Aye Yeik Nyien bus depot.

Reporting by Khaing Suu