Tragedy struck in St. Lucia last evening when a bus fell over a precipice into the ocean leaving 16 dead.

The catastrophe occurred in the Choiseul community of Morne Sion around 8:00 pm.

Reports are that the bus was returning to Labayee from Choiseul after a funeral; but detoured to Delcer to pay respects to the family of the deceased. They were driving down the Morne Sion Road heading south to Choiseul village when the bus did not make the left turn, careening over the cliff and landing straight onto the beach, 120 feet below.

When rescuers arrived on the scene, three strewn bodies were seen on the beach being washed by the waves; two of them were apparently dead; but the third was showing signs of life. She was taken to the hospital but she didnt make it.

However it wasnt until the capsized bus which was partially submerged by the wave action was turned over that the full horror story struck. The first victim hoisted was a two-year old boy followed by a series of wet dead bodies. They were all put to lay on the beach.

The final count is now 16.

Emotional screams of sadness filled the air. A gentleman from Gertrine is reported to have lost his three children.

Minister of National Security and Home Affairs Guy Mayers has described the accident as one of the worst in the countrys history.

The entire country is now in a state of mourning.

The bus drove through where the red bus is parked

Remnants of the bus

Residents found one body

A section of the precipice

The precipice the bus went over

My condelences to the families and all those who lost love ones...Jah know