Bus driver Edward Gelfund, who was driving the bus that flipped into a ravine last week killing 24 travel agents from St. Petersburg, will most likely face negligent manslaughter charges police are indicating.

Police Commander Noam Bigenski, who is supervising the investigation into the fatal crash which occurred near Eilat, confirms the reports that police are present plan to charge Gelfund.

Bingenski explains for one thing, Gelfund did not place a disc in the vehicle’s tachograph as is required by the Ministry of Transportation.

Edward was released from the hospital on Wednesday, at which time he was arraigned and sent to house arrest pending the outcome of the investigation.

The bodies of the victims were flown back to Russia on Thursday. 24 ambulances brought the victims from Abu Kabir Forensic Institute to Ben-Gurion Airport. Prior to takeoff, a modest ceremony was held during which Israel expressed sorrow for the tragic accident and loss of life.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)