In a tragic incident on Friday, a bus veered off a bridge and plunged into the Moika River in St. Petersburg, claiming the lives of at least seven people, according to officials. The bus, carrying 15 passengers, crashed through a barrier before falling into the water in central St. Petersburg.

The Investigative Committee, Russia's top criminal investigations body, confirmed the death toll but did not provide details on the number of injuries sustained during the accident. However, the country's emergencies ministry earlier stated that six people rescued from the water were in critical or serious condition.

Surveillance footage released by Russian media revealed that the bus was traveling at a high speed, made a sharp turn onto the bridge, and collided with another vehicle before crashing through the barrier. The cause of the accident is currently under investigation.

It was reported that the bus owner had previously received 23 fines for various violations, according to authorities in St. Petersburg. The city's bus services are primarily operated by private companies. The driver of the bus has been detained by the police.

The driver's wife, quoted by Russian media, claimed that her husband had been forced to work a morning shift after having worked for 20 consecutive hours the previous day, with little rest. This raises concerns about the working conditions and practices in the city's bus services.

Authorities have launched a criminal investigation to determine if there were any traffic violations or negligent practices involved in the incident. This unfortunate event highlights the importance of ensuring the safety and well-being of passengers in public transportation services.

As the investigation continues, the focus shifts towards preventing such accidents in the future and addressing any potential underlying issues in the transportation industry to ensure the safety of commuters in St. Petersburg.