A BUS crash in Bulgaria has left 16 tourists dead and another 26 injured after the vehicle flipped of highway near Sofia.

Police said a bus carrying tourists on a weekend trip to a nearby resort overturned and then fell down a side road 66 feet below the highway.

5 Police said the bus overturned and then fell down a side road 66 feet below the highway Credit: AP:Associated Press

5 It is still not known exactly how many people were on the bus nor was there any immediate information about the nationality of the passengers Credit: AFP

The country's health minister confirmed the tragedy today saying it occurred at around 5:10 p.m. about 12 miles north of the capital.

At least 15 ambulances from Sofia, Montana and Vratsa rushed to the scene and took the injured to hospitals in the capital.

Doctors said some of the injured were in critical condition.

Initial reports suggest the bus lost control on wet asphalt and hit two cars before rolling off the road.

5 16 people have been killed in a bus crash in Bulgaria Credit: btnovinite.bg

It is still not known exactly how many people were on the bus nor was there any immediate information about the nationality of the passengers.

Bulgaria's government quickly declared Monday a national day of mourning.

5 Another 26 were injured in the tragedy which occurred 12 miles north of the capital Sofia Credit: btnovinite.bg

5 15 Ambulances were scrambled to the scene to rush the wounded to hospital Credit: btvnovinite.bg

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Health Minister Kiril Ananiev said the initial death toll was 15 people, but doctors from Sofia’s emergency hospital said another bus victim died on Saturday night.

The major of Bozhurishte, north of Sofia, told reporters that all the passengers were from his village.

In April six people died and 22 were injured after another bus crash near Sofia.