A bus carrying more than 50 people plunged into a lake in northern Norway, resulting in at least 3 deaths and 4 injuries.
According to foreign media reports, the bus, carrying approximately 60 to 70 passengers, left the E10 highway in Hásse, Norway, and plunged into a lake named Asvatnet. Part of the bus was submerged in the lake.
The passengers on the bus were from different countries, and the specific casualties are currently unknown.
According to AFP reports, the passengers were from Malaysia, Singapore, China, France, India, the Netherlands, Norway, and South Sudan.
According to Xinhua News Agency, 3 people died, 4 were seriously injured, and multiple others sustained minor injuries. The injured are not in life-threatening conditions. According to the Chinese Embassy in Norway, there were about 20 Chinese tourists on board, with 5 sustaining minor injuries. The embassy stated it will continue to contact Chinese tourists to provide necessary assistance.
Online images show that it was snowing at the crash site, with snow on the road, a section of guardrail collapsed, and the bus fell down a slope into the lake beside the road. Rescue personnel used ropes to pull the bus out of the lake.
The police confirmed in a statement that at least 3 people have died in the accident. Authorities have issued a disaster alert, mobilizing all available emergency services, including rescue helicopters from Tromsø and Bodø, as well as Red Cross volunteers.
Some passengers, after being rescued, were arranged to take shelter at a nearby school, with specific casualty details yet to be verified. Norwegian authorities stated that part of the bus was submerged and rescue operations are still underway.
Police stated that due to the emergency, they are currently unable to answer calls from the media.
Local witnesses described the scene as chaotic, with many emergency service personnel present.