Ten persons have been reported dead after a van had collided with a private bus near the Mahiyangana National College, stated Ada Derana reporter.

Reportedly, three children are among the persons killed in the accident which took place on the Badulla-Mahiyangana road at around 1.30 a.m. this morning (17).

The van had veered off to the other side of the road and crashed head-on into the bus heading towards Trincomalee from Diyathalawa.

The police suspect that the accident resulted as the driver of the van fell asleep.

The remains of the deceased are currently placed at the Mahiyanganaya Base Hospital.

According to a spokesperson at the hospital, tow other passengers, who were inside the van at the time of the accident, are also in critical conditions.

Mahiyangana Police is conducting further investigations into the incident.

The driver of the bus has been arrested in connection with the accident.

UPDATE: Members of three related families are among the victims who lost their lives in the accident.

Joseph Relington (56) and his 50-year-old wife succumbed to injuries along with eight other relatives.

Lister Alexander (32), his wife Nisalin Alexander (27) and their 4-year-old twin daughters are among the dead.

The lives of Prince Hendrick aged 48, his wife aged 42, 10-year-old daughter and 16-year-old son were also claimed in the fatal accident.

Segani Hendrick (13), daughter of Prince Hendrick, and Resani Bergasal (16) sustained critical injuries in the accident.