Rescue workers were continuing to search for survivors after a school bus was swept away Several more students were injured in the incident near the Dead Sea AMMAN: Flash floods in Jordan swept away a school bus Thursday, killing at least 18 people, mostly pupils, emergency services said. Several more students were injured in the incident near the Dead Sea, said an official from the civil defence, Jordan"s fire service, who asked not to be named. "Heavy rains caused a flash flood close to the Dead Sea that washed away a school bus carrying 37 students and seven minders," the official said. Rescue workers were continuing to search for survivors, he said. Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed sent a telegram of condolence to King Abdullah, while Dubai"s Ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum also sent a telegram of condolence. "The students were on a school trip and it appears that a mudslide along the road swept their bus away," the official added. Israel"s military said it was helping with the operation, sending helicopters as well as search and rescue soldiers. "Currently assisting Jordan in rescuing a bus full of children swept away in a flood on the Jordanian side of the Dead Sea," it wrote on Twitter. At least 34 people were rescued in a dramatic operation involving helicopters, marine divers, swimmers and boats, according to the website of the Jordan Times. After nightfall, huge spotlights were trained on the search area. Late on Thursday, 10 more students and a teacher were found and awaiting rescue, media reports said. The media reports did not provide the ages of the students. Prime Minister Omar Razzaz rushed to the scene, overseeing part of the rescue operation and visiting the wounded at an area hospital. As the death toll continued to rise Thursday evening, Jordan"s King Abdullah II announced that he canceled a visit to Bahrain, which had been scheduled for Friday. The Dead Sea, the lowest point on the earth, is surrounded by steep valley slopes that frequently witness flash floods and landslides.