OSLO: A bus carrying a number of international vacationers went off the street and ended up partially submerged in a lake close to the Raftsundet strait that separates the Lofoten archipelago from the Norwegian mainland, killing three individuals and injuring 4, police mentioned on Thursday (Dec 26).
“Lots of the passengers on the bus had been international nationals,” police mentioned, including that 58 individuals had been impacted.
Passengers from eight international locations had been on board: China, France, India, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Norway, Singapore and South Sudan.
The Lofoten archipelago is a well-liked winter vacation spot to look at the northern lights.
Police mentioned a few of the evacuated passengers had been delivered to an area faculty whereas three had been transported to hospital by helicopter.
“The climate situations within the area are unhealthy, complicating rescue operations,” native police mentioned in an announcement.
Sturdy wind gusts are at the moment hitting the realm.
“The precedence now’s to deal with the injured and an investigation will likely be launched to make clear what transpired,” Norwegian information company NTB cited Nordland police officer Bent Are Eilertsen as saying.
He added it was proving troublesome to contact kinfolk because of the lack of a whole listing of passengers and the variety of nationalities.
Based on Norwegian media studies, not less than one Singaporean was barely injured within the accident.
Responding to queries from CNA, the Norwegian embassy in Singapore mentioned it had not been notified of any Singaporeans being among the many lifeless.
It added that the municipality the place the accident occurred had activated its crisis-response staff and that they’re making certain that passengers who will not be being cared for in hospital “are all taken care of and have somebody to speak to concerning the accident”.
