At least 12 people were killed and dozens wounded when gunmen belonging to the Hmong ethnic minority attacked a bus full of local holiday-makers in northern Laos, an official said today.
The attack yesterday morning was the second this year on a public bus travelling between the popular northern tourist town of Luang Prabang and the capital Vientiane.
"A group of armed Hmong bandits robbed a bus running between Luang Prabang and Vientiane near the halfway town of Vangvieng," an official said. "There were around 40 passengers and 12 were killed. All the dead people were Laotians. Most other passengers were injured."
A western diplomat contacted by reporters said his embassy had heard as many as 32 people had been killed in the attack, but no staff members had been able to verify the reports.
At least 10 people, including two Swiss tourists, were killed when gunmen attacked a bus early in February.