Six killed as New Mandalar Htun passenger bus plunges into gorge at Milepost 19 on Pyin Oo Lwin–Mandalay downhill road

A New Mandalar Htun passenger bus traveling from Pyin Oo Lwin to Mandalay suffered brake failure and collided head-on with a taxi traveling in the opposite direction at Fire Brigade Curve near Milepost 19 on the downhill road at around 6 pm on October 24, before plunging into a roadside gorge approximately 50 feet deep and overturning.

The accident occurred when the New Mandalar Htun bus, which had departed Pyin Oo Lwin, reached Fire Brigade Curve at Milepost 19 and collided with the taxi before falling into the gorge.

According to local social assistance organizations, the taxi driver died at the scene, while five passengers aboard the New Mandalar Htun bus, which was carrying more than 30 people, also died.

According to an announcement by the Myanmar Fire Services Department, the bus was a Yutong Express traveling from Pyin Oo Lwin to Mandalay, while the taxi was heading from Mandalay to Pyin Oo Lwin when the head-on collision occurred. Firefighting and rescue teams were dispatched to the scene, including one command vehicle from the Mandalay Region Fire  Services Department, one search-and-rescue vehicle from the Central Fire Services Training School, and fire engines from Pyin Oo Lwin District, Pyin Oo Lwin Township and Yadanabon area fire stations.

Of the 29 people aboard the Yutong Express, five died. Twelve injured passengers were rescued alive and transported to Mandalay General Hospital and Pyin Oo Lwin Township Public Hospital. Search operations were continuing for 12 people reported missing, according to Myanmar Fire Services Department.

“Six people—three men, two women and one child—died in the passenger bus accident at Fire Brigade Curve, while the remaining passengers sustained injuries. Fire service teams from the district and township, together with six ambulances from the Thantithukha Free Social Assistance Association and other social assistance organizations, helped transport the injured to Mandalay General Hospital and Pyin Oo Lwin Public Hospital,” a representative of the Thantithukha Free Social Assistance Association said.