26 children killed in Colombian bus fire

A bus in Northern Colombia caught fire on Sunday, killing at least 26 children.

At least 50 children were traveling on the bus, which was taking them to a local church event in the city of Magdalena, reported local media.

Local police spokesman Adan Leon warned that the death toll could rise as the Technical Investigation Department was still combing through the debris. He said that most of the people on the bus were younger than 14. "That adds to the tragedy," he said.

He also added that 14 other children were rescued. They are being treated at hospitals for various degrees of injuries.

It was not clear exactly how the fire started. But local officials said that the bus had a capacity for only 38 people. 

Colombia's President Juan Manuel Santos expressed his condolences on Twitter right after the tragedy. 

“We deeply regret the accident occurred in Fundacion, Magdalena, where at least 15 people have been killed according to the latest information," posted the head of state.

Sources: El Popular, El Tiempo, Washinton Post, BBC, Xinhua