A Syrian bus crashed early on Friday in the town of Kahhaleh,northern Beirut, killing at least eight people and injuring more than 20 others.

A Syrian bus crashed early on Friday in the town of Kahhaleh,  Beirut, northernkilling at least eight people and injuring more than 20 others.

Agence France Presse quoted a security official as saying that nine people were killed in the accident, adding that at least 20 others were wounded.

On the other hand, Red Cross official George Kettaneh put the death toll at eight, adding that paramedics transported 29 people to hospitals in the area.

The driver of the bus, that was carrying Syrian refugees, lost control on the vehicle which then hit a concrete barrier, which separates the lanes on the main highway that links Beirut to Damascus.

The crash caused heavy traffic in the early morning, some residents said, adding that security forces were deployed in the area.