At least 16 killed as two buses collide in Russia

Moscow: At least 16 people were killed and dozens injured when two buses crashed head-on in Russia´s far eastern Khabarovsk region, officials said Wednesday.

The two intercity buses collided on the road between the cities of Khabarovsk and Komsomolsk-on-Amur.

"According to our preliminary information, 72 people were injured and of these, 16 died," the health ministry said in a statement, adding that 10 people were in a critical condition.

The interior ministry said one infant was among the dead and that both drivers were sober at the time of the accident.

Russian state television broadcast dramatic images of the crash site, showing that one of the buses had flipped onto its side.

Regional governor Vyacheslav Shport said a day of mourning would be observed on Thursday.

Last month, 11 people were killed when a bus and a truck collided outside the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk.

Russia has a dismal road safety record, due in part to poor roads and reckless driving. Last year, nearly 27,000 people died in traffic accidents.