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At least 12 cruise ship passengers killed in Mexico bus crash

At least 12 people have been killed when a bus carrying cruise ship passengers from Florida crashed in Mexico.

Another 18 people were injured when the vehicle overturned between Mahahual and Cafetal in Quintana Roo state in the south-east of the country.

The bus was taking 27 people from Royal Caribbean International ship Serenade of the Seas and Celebrity Equinox from sister line Celebrity Cruises on an excursion from Costa Maya to the ancient Mayan ruin at Chaccoben.

Those on board were from the US, Italy, Sweden and Brazil, a bus company statement said.

A local driver and tour guides were also said to be on the trip. The injured were taken to four hospitals and five people were discharged, the Costa Maya company said.

The Quintana Roo state government said the 12 dead included at least one child, but did not give details.

The cause of the accident is being investigated.

Video images from the scene of the crash showed the bus on its side in vegetation off the two-lane highway, with some survivors lying on the pavement while others walked around.

Costa Maya Mahahual, the transportation company involved, said that the bus was carrying tourists who had arrived by ship at the Costa Maya port in the coastal town of Mahahual

In addition to the tourists, a guide and driver were on board the bus, the company said.

Serenade of the Seas had left Port Everglades last Friday on a week-long itinerary and Celebrity Equinox had departed from Miami on Saturday.

Royal Caribbean said on Twitter: “Our 27 guests were on a bus tour to the Chacchoben Ruins.

“We are working with the local authorities to learn more about the accident. We are doing all we can to help our guests.

“The news from Costa Maya about a bus accident involving Celebrity Equinox and Serenade of the Seas guests is heartbreaking.

“Our hearts go out to all those involved. We are doing all we can to care for our guests, including assisting with medical care and transportation.”

“We can confirm that no UK or Ireland national are involved in this incident,” Royal Caribbean added.

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