JORDAN: Bus carrying students swept away near Dead Sea

At least eight students have been killed and 16 more are missing after flash floods swept away their bus near the Dead Sea in Jordan, officials say. The bus had been carrying 37 students and seven members of staff to the Zara Maeen hot springs area when it was washed away, officials added. A huge […]

At least eight students have been killed and 16 more are missing after flash floods swept away their bus near the Dead Sea in Jordan, officials say.

The bus had been carrying 37 students and seven members of staff to the Zara Maeen hot springs area when it was washed away, officials added.

A huge rescue operation has been launched and Israel said it had sent helicopters at Jordan’s request.

Rescue teams have so far found at least 11 survivors, Reuters reported.

Some of them are said to be in a serious condition.

The Israeli military said that, following a request from the Jordanian government, it had sent a number of helicopters with soldiers from an elite search and rescue unit.

Troops were helping to locate those missing despite adverse weather conditions, a statement said.