At least 28 people dead in Madeira tourist bus crash

At least 28 people are dead after a tourist bus overturned on the Portuguese island of Madeira.
Firemen help victims of a tourist bus that crashed on the Portuguese island of Madeira. Picture: Rui SilvaFiremen help victims of a tourist bus that crashed on the Portuguese island of Madeira. Picture: Rui Silva
Firemen help victims of a tourist bus that crashed on the Portuguese island of Madeira. Picture: Rui Silva

Images on social media last night showed the vehicle had come to rest near some houses.

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“I have no words to describe what happened. I cannot face the suffering of these people,” Mayor Filipe Sousa told broadcaster SIC TV.

At least 28 people have been killed in a bus crash on the island of MadeiraAt least 28 people have been killed in a bus crash on the island of Madeira
At least 28 people have been killed in a bus crash on the island of Madeira
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He said all the tourists on the bus were German, but it was not clear if the fatalities occurred only in the bus.

The deaths were confirmed by Lusa, the national news agency. The victims are 17 women and 11 men.

A spokeswoman for the Foreign Office said it was standing by to provide support to any British people affected.

She said: “We are seeking information from the authorities in Portugal about a bus crash in Madeira and are ready to support any British people who require assistance.”

Local television showed bodies scattered over the rural hillside next to the Atlantic Ocean.

Residents say the weather was fine at the time of the accident, which happened in daylight.

Authorities say they are investigating the cause of the crash.

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