A bus swerved, went off a bridge and plunged into a river on Friday in St. Petersburg, Russia’s second-largest city, killing seven people, he said.
The Investigative Commission, Russia’s criminal investigative body, reported the death toll. It did not say how many more people were injured, but the Ministry of Emergency Situations said earlier that six other people pulled from the bus were in critical or serious condition.
Russian media reported that there were between 15 and 20 other people on board the city bus when it crossed a barrier and plunged into the Moika River in central St. Petersburg. Six of the passengers were pulled out of the water alone.
Surveillance video released by Russian media shows the bus driving at top speed, making a sharp turn on the bridge, crossing lanes and colliding with the vehicle before crossing the barrier and falling into the water.
A witness described bystanders jumping into the water to rescue passengers.
“They jumped in with their clothes on and helped us,” he said in Russian.
St. Petersburg authorities said the bus owner was fined 23 times for violations. Private companies run most of the city’s bus services.
Another witness said it appeared he was “either driving erratically or the brakes were broken. “
The bus driver was arrested by police. His wife, quoted by Russian media, said his superiors forced him to work in the morning after running at 8 p. m. the day before and barely resting.
The government has opened a criminal investigation into allegations of traffic violations and unsafe services.