War in Europe: 23 reported dead as missile slices bus in half
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.MORE THAN 20 people died yesterday when a Nato missile slammed into a bridge in Luzane, north of the Kosovan capital, Pristina. The missile sliced a bus in two, sending part of the vehicle plunging down from the bridge. Journalists saw at least 15 bodies. The Yugoslav news agency, Tanjug, reported a death toll of 23.
The deaths came only a day after four civilians were killed in Montenegro, the smaller Yugoslav republic which has tried to stay clear of the war. Nato bombs destroyed a bridge and did extensive damage to the village of Murino, in the south-east of the republic, killing four or possibly five people and injuring eight.
The continued bombing of Montenegro, which has been hit hard in the past week, is theoretically intended to break the capability of Slobodan Milosevic's army. But the Montenegrin government argues that the political knock- on effect is likely to be disastrous, in terms of creating an anti-Nato mood in the republic. Montenegro, which is sharply at odds with the government in Belgrade, has tried to steer a reformist course, but is worried that a pro-Serb faction could stage a coup.
The West may be taking the differences between Serbia and Montenegro seriously for the first time. Yesterday President Clinton announced expanded sanctions against Serbia, while emphasising that Montenegro would be unaffected. Montenegro has been begging the West for such a sign - arguing not only that it needs economic support, but also that it is politically essential to show that the republic can in some way benefit from its lone stance against Belgrade. Officials complained that the "baffling" attack on Murino could bury the "peaceful and moderate policies" of the Montenegrin government.
Viktor Chernomyrdin, Russia's Balkan envoy, held six hours of talks with Milosevic. Initially he expressed optimism, but on his return to Moscow was cautious, saying: "It's not a big chance, but a chance."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments