People look at the wreckage of a bus that fell into a deep ravine as it negotiated a descent near La Crespa, when travelling from the capital Quito to the eastern towns of Chone and San Isidro, on December 24. — Photo by AFP

QUITO: A bus ran off a foggy, rainy mountain road in Ecuador and plunged about 1,100 feet, killing at least 35 people and injuring 34 others, rescue workers said.

Red Cross worker Jorge Arteaga said by telephone that Friday's accident occurred before dawn in the western province of Manabi.

The Red Cross sent 30 volunteers and five ambulances to the scene.

Police said late Friday that at least 35 people were killed in the accident and another 34 were injured. Authorities said an earlier total of 34 deaths did not include the driver.

Attorney General Washington Pesantez said last month that there are 43,000 road accidents a year in Ecuador, producing about eight deaths a day.