A FIGHT between the bus driver and an angry passenger caused the Chongqing bus to plunge into Yangtze River on Oct. 28, which left 13 people dead and two missing, Chongqing police said Friday morning.

Based on the black-box recording device from the bus and other evidence, a female passenger surnamed Liu, 48, missed her stop and asked the driver surnamed Ran, 43, to stop immediately.

After the driver refused to stop, Liu hit the driver’s head with her cell phone. During the fight, Ran lost control of the bus and the vehicle broke through a guardrail and plunged into the river with an estimated 15 passengers on board in Wanzhou, Chongqing.

The bus was lifted out of water Wednesday night.

Zhao Hu, a lawyer, said the family of the victims on the bus have the right to seek compensation from the bus operator and the family of the woman that fought with the driver.

Also, netizens and media commentators are calling for improved safety measures on public transport, as well as greater awareness of the rules among passengers, after the fatal bus crash.

Many were outraged after seeing the footage, taking to social media to call for more protection for bus drivers and better behavior from passengers.

Although signs and audio announcements warn passengers not to distract bus drivers, particularly when the vehicle is moving, not everyone follows the rule. Before the Chongqing tragedy, similar cases had come to light, including some in which passengers had grabbed the wheel. (China Daily)