Israeli charged over bus deaths

An Israeli bus driver has been charged with manslaughter following the deaths of 24 Russian tourists last December.

The vehicle plunged into a gorge as he tried to overtake on a dangerous road near the resort of Eilat, documents filed at Beersheba District Court say.

Edward Gelfond will face trial in a fortnight and the prosecution have asked for a prison sentence if he is found guilty.

Many of the deaths occurred as the passengers were thrown from the bus.

Several other passengers were hurt in the accident.

The group had only just arrived and were being transported from Ovda airport in the Negev desert to Eilat about 50km (30 miles) away.

The road crosses mountainous terrain and involves a series of hairpin bends.

The group had come from the Russian city of St Petersburg.