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At least 14 dead in Japan tour bus crash

At least 14 dead in Japan tour bus crash

A tour bus on its way to a ski resort in central Japan has slid down a mountainside, killing at least 14 passengers and injuring 27 others.

Fire and disaster management officials say the bus veered off to the opposite lane on a mountain road near the resort town of Karuizawa, in Nagano prefecture, ramming through a guard rail and sliding down the mountainside.

The bus was carrying 41 people, including two drivers who were taking turns, when it crashed early on Friday.

Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed it was making urgent inquiries with local authorities to determine if any Australians were involved in the crash.

Japanese media reports say the bus fell three metres down the mountainside and landed on its side, with its front window bashed in.

There was no snow or ice on the road surface.

Originally published as At least 14 dead in Japan tour bus crash