Bus crash leaves 38 dead

Police in Papua New Guinea said 38 people were killed and 18 others taken to hospital after two speeding buses crashed head-on while trying to drive around potholes.

They said the two 25-seat buses were overloaded when they collided in Morobe province on the northeast coast on Tuesday.

Morobe Assistant Police Commissioner Giossi Labi said: “This accident appears to have occurred when both drivers tried to avoid potholes, and in the process collided.

“It is one of the saddest days in the history of road accidents,” he said.

Road conditions through the Pacific island nation are poor and speeding is common, leading to frequent and serious crashes.