Bus plunges into river in central St Petersburg killing at least three

A bus veered off a bridge in St Petersburg, Russia, killing at least three people and leaving six others injured on Friday, officials have said.

The emergencies ministry said rescuers removed nine people from the water, three of whom died. It said four others were in critical condition, and two more were in a serious condition.

Russian news reports initially said that there might have been about 20 people on the bus when it broke through a barrier and plunged into the Moika River in the centre of the city.

A surveillance video released by Russian media showed the bus driving fast, making a sharp turn on to the bridge and colliding with another vehicle before breaking through a barrier and falling into the water.

Authorities in St Petersburg said the owner of the bus had been repeatedly fined for various violations.