29 killed in bus accident on Portuguese island

IANS  |  Lisbon 

At least 29 people have died after a bus carrying German tourists plunged off a road and overturned on the Portuguese island of

The accident happened on Wednesday evening when the lost control of the bus at a junction and went off the road, the reported on Thursday citing Portuguese news agency

The overturned vehicle came to rest near houses.

"I have no words to describe what happened. I cannot face the suffering of these people," told broadcaster SIC TV.

He said all the tourists on the bus were German but some local people could also be among the casualties. Eleven of the fatalities were men and 17 women, Sousa added.

The bus was reported to be carrying 55 passengers, as well as the and a tour guide.

Another woman later died of her injuries in hospital.

The scene of the crash has been sealed off and the injured transferred to a hospital in the island's capital, Funchal, said. An investigation into the crash has been launched.

Portuguese is flying to the island to visit the scene.

has sent a message of condolence to German

--IANS

pgh/

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

First Published: Thu, April 18 2019. 06:42 IST