In one of Morocco's worst road accidents, 42 people were killed early Tuesday when a passenger bus plunged into a ravine in the country's mountainous south, the Indo-Asian News Service reported.

A further 24 people were injured in the accident, which occurred at 2 a.m. local time, as the bus was traveling from the city of Zagora, around 60 miles south of Marrakesh, a popular tourist hub.

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Local officials said the vehicle fell 150 meters (490ft) into the ravine, not far from the city of Ouarzazate, the BBC reported.

According to IANS, 37 people were killed instantly, while a further five died in hospital. Most of the victims were transported to the Ibn Tofail hospital in Marrakesh, while at least three were treated in Ouarzazate.

Morocco's roads rate as among the most dangerous in Africa, with Transport Ministry figures showing 4,200 deaths last year.

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