Hospital officials confirmed Sunday that another Buddhist monk died from cable car accident injuries, bringing Sri Lanka's worst aerial transport disaster death toll to eight people. The victim succumbed to wounds sustained when their cabin plummeted down a mountainside Wednesday evening near a forest meditation center. Thirteen religious practitioners had packed into the small makeshift transport heading toward mountain meditation facilities at Na Uyana monastery when disaster struck. Initial findings indicate the cable broke, sending the overcrowded cabin racing downhill before derailing and slamming into a tree.
Saturday services honored five deceased monks at a cemetery adjacent to their religious compound. Foreign nationals from Romania, Russia and India were among the victims, with one Indian monk's remains already returned to relatives. The monastery sits 130 kilometers northeast of Colombo in Kurunegala district, where the tragedy unfolded during what should have been a routine journey to elevated prayer locations.
Saturday services honored five deceased monks at a cemetery adjacent to their religious compound. Foreign nationals from Romania, Russia and India were among the victims, with one Indian monk's remains already returned to relatives. The monastery sits 130 kilometers northeast of Colombo in Kurunegala district, where the tragedy unfolded during what should have been a routine journey to elevated prayer locations.
