SriLanka, Oct. 20 -- A catastrophic multi-vehicle collision occurred around 10:30 am yesterday along the Katugastota-Matale main road in Kurugoda, Akurana, leaving four people dead and six others hospitalised.

The disaster unfolded when a lorry carrying cement powder from Trincomalee lost control while speeding down the steep Kurugoda slope.

The runaway lorry ploughed through traffic, colliding with a total of 10 vehicles, including five three-wheelers, three motorcycles, and two other lorries.

During the impact, one motorcycle burst into flames and was completely incinerated, while the cement lorry overturned at the Kurugoda bend, smashed directly into a roadside shop, and had its rear section break off, striking additional vehicles b...