Death toll rises to 38 after bus plunges into river in Ivory Coast

The bus plunged off a bridge and into a river in the West African country of Ivory Coast. There were 69 people on board, according to the transport ministry, and initial reports said 24 people had died.

The search for the missing and care for the injured has continued, but on Wednesday it was announced that the death toll had risen sharply.

The bus was traveling from the city of Odienné in the north toward the capital, Yamoussoukro, when it crashed into the Bafing River.

Between 1,000 and 1,500 people die each year in accidents on the country's roads, according to authorities.