27 killed in SE Burundi car crash

Twenty-seven people were killed and dozens of others injured in a car crash that happened Sunday night in Rutana province, 200 km southeast of the Burundian capital Bujumbura, an official said Monday.

"The driver truck loaded with dozens of people who were coming from a crusade in Gitega town (central Burundi) and going back to Kiguhu parish in Mpinga-Kayove, Rutana province, lost control due to a failure of the brake system," said Rutana Governor Bede Nyandwi.

"The truck hit a tree and overturned, killing 14 people on the spot and injuring dozens others,"said the governor, adding that the accident occurred around 19:00 local time.

Nyandwi indicated that the 14 people who died include a priest and a nun.

He added that the injured passengers were evacuated to Rutana and Gitega hospitals, where 13 others later died.

Source: XINHUA