This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-31893331

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Bus plunge in southern Brazil leaves 32 dead Bus plunge in southern Brazil leaves 42 dead
(about 3 hours later)
A tour bus has plunged off a cliff in southern Brazil, killing at least 32 people. A tour bus has plunged off a mountain road into a ravine in southern Brazil, killing at least 42 people.
Police say the bus, carrying about 50 people, fell down the 400m (1,300ft) cliff near the city of Joinville in Santa Catarina state. Police say the bus, carrying about 50 people, fell 400m (1,300ft) into a wooded area near the city of Joinville in Santa Catarina state.
Rescue teams are on site and police say there are still people trapped. At least six survivors were freed from the wreckage and taken to hospital.
The cause of the accident is not clear. However, according to Brazil's G1 news website, the driver may have lost control of the bus on a bend. The cause of the accident has not been determined. However, police said it appeared the brakes on the bus had failed as it took a bend.
The bus fell into a wooded ravine as night fell and difficult access to the site was hampering the rescue effort, a local government spokesman told AFP news agency. The accident happened as night fell and difficult access to the site was hampering the rescue effort, a local government spokesman told AFP news agency.
The mountainous area is a popular tourist attraction.The mountainous area is a popular tourist attraction.
A rescue helicopter was sent to the scene but could not land due to the terrain, local media reported. A rescue helicopter was sent to the scene but could not land due to the terrain, local media report.
However, emergency crews said 12 survivors had been taken to hospitals in Joinville and Campo Alegre. The death toll was initially put at 32 but increased after several bodies were found and three children who had been rescued died in hospital, a government spokesman said.
"There are people out there, on the hill, in the bus, trapped in the wreckage." Colonel Nelson Coelho said in a statement.
"But the chances of finding someone alive are pretty slim."