At least 41 people have been injured after a bus plunged down a 20-metre embankment following a collision with a car in Catalonia on Sunday, October 25.
Twenty of those treated were reported to have suffered serious injuries, according to initial reports from the region. Emergency services were continuing to assist those affected as the scale of the incident became clear.
Bus crashes down embankment in Barcelona province
The accident happened on the BV-5114 road near Fogars de Montclús, in Barcelona province, in the Montseny Natural Park area. The bus, operated by Sagalés, was carrying around 60 people when it plunged down the embankment following a collision with a car. Some passengers managed to climb back up to the road themselves, while others were trapped inside and needed rescuers to help them out.
Catalonia’s Emergency Medical Service (SEM) deployed 15 ambulances, two medical helicopters and three joint teams of medical staff and firefighters to deal with the incident. Firefighters also sent 20 units to the scene to help with the rescue operation and assist those injured.
Road closed as emergency teams respond
The regional authorities activated the alert phase of Catalonia’s Procicat emergency plan following the crash. The BV-5114 was completely closed at kilometre 18.4 while emergency crews worked at the scene. The 112 emergency telephone service received 25 calls relating to the incident. A support centre was also opened at Can Ramis in Sant Celoni, offering assistance and psychological support to those affected.
The Mossos d’Esquadra regional police, firefighters and medical teams were involved in the response, with police investigating the circumstances of the collision. The cause of the crash has not yet been established.
Initial reports did not record any deaths, although the number and severity of the injuries meant that the situation remained serious. Further details about the passengers, including their identities and nationalities, had not been confirmed in the initial reports. We will endeavour to update this story as more news comes in.