At least 9 killed in bus accident in Costa Rica

At least nine people died in a bus crash in Costa Rica caused by torrential rain last night, officials said.

Heavy rains across the country caused a landslide in the west of the country, 70 km from the capital, San Jose.

Firefighters and the country's Red Cross have announced the deaths of at least nine people.

The authorities are trying to find the missing, who the presidency said are at least 30.

The statement added that hundreds of families were evacuated due to the severe damage caused by the torrential rains.

The National Meteorological Institute said on the social networking site "Twitter" today that heavy rain is expected to continue in coastal areas.

"This situation in which so many families are losing their property is really sad and disturbing," Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chavez said.

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