6 killed as cab crashes into Vesak crowd in Sri Lanka

COLOMBO, June 1 (Xinhua) -- Six people, including a 15-year-old girl, were killed and seven others were injured when a cab crashed into a crowd gathered for a Vesak event on Sunday night in Sri Lanka's Western Province, police said.

The accident occurred on High Level Road in Meegoda, as the cab was traveling from Avissawella to Colombo, police said.

Police said the vehicle veered into a group of devotees waiting in line at the dansala, a free food stall held during Vesak.

Thirteen people were taken to Homagama Hospital after the crash. Three males and three females died before admission, police said. The victims were aged from 15 to 56.

Police arrested the 42-year-old driver, a resident of Piliyandala, after he allegedly tried to flee the scene.

Police said preliminary investigations found that the driver was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash.

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