At least 13 Chinese tourists are confirmed dead after a tour bus they were travelling in skidded off a mountain road and plunged 100 feet down a ravine.
Lao authorities say the bus was carrying 44 Chinese tourists.
Thirty-three were injured including the Lao bus driver and tour guide.
The bus was taking the tourists north from capital Ventiane to the UNESCO World Heritage town of Luang Prabang.
Most of the tourists were elderly in their fifties and sixties and hail from the province of Jiangsu.
Police initially said they believe the accident may have been caused by brake failure but investigations are still ongoing.
The region’s mountainous roads are scenic but can be treacherous with accidents fairly common.
Local Chinese owned businesses responded to offer their help and a Chinese army medical team that was in Laos at the time, was flown to Luang Prabang to also offer assistance.
