El autobús cae 20 metros: 80 heridos

A collision between a passenger car and a shuttle bus resulted in injuries for approximately 83 people on Sunday afternoon near Barcelona, Spain. The incident occurred on road BV-5114 close to the municipality of Fogars de Montclús within the Montseny Nature Park in northeastern Catalonia. Following the impact, the bus plunged down a steep embankment roughly 20 meters deep. Emergency services reported that seven individuals suffered severe injuries, while 18 sustained moderate harm and 58 were treated for minor wounds. No fatalities had been confirmed at the time of initial reporting, though authorities stated that deaths could not be ruled out due to the difficult terrain. The crash happened at approximately 4:43 p.m., according to regional health officials. The vehicle involved was operating route 573 of the Bus Parc del Montseny service, operated by the transportation company Sagalés. This route functions as a shuttle connecting the Sant Celoni train station with Santa Fe del Montseny, making intermediate stops including the park’s interpretation center. Fire chief Santi Lleonart noted that the exact number of passengers aboard was unknown because the vehicle was picking up riders along its path. He added that all 65 seats were occupied and some travelers were standing inside the bus. Initial emergency response units arrived quickly to begin treating the injured passengers. Local fire departments dispatched 20 teams to the scene, while media reports indicated that more than 60 firefighters were eventually engaged in evacuation and distribution tasks. Two medical helicopters from the Catalan Medical Emergencies System (SEM) joined two helicopters from the fire department’s special mountain operations group to assist ground crews. A total of 23 ambulances were deployed to the site. One helicopter was equipped for night flights to continue operations after dark. Salvador Illa, the president of the Catalan regional government, stated he was following the situation with great concern. He said he was being kept informed of developments by competent authorities. Illa expressed his full support for those affected and thanked rescue services for their efforts. Núria Parlon, the regional interior minister, highlighted the excellent work performed by rescue personnel and wished the injured a speedy recovery. Health Councilor Olga Pané addressed the press four hours after the accident, confirming the injury counts and noting that four severely injured patients had already been transported to hospitals via helicopter and ambulance, with three others in transit. Injured passengers were taken to three hospitals: Granollers Hospital in Barcelona, Josep Trueta Hospital in Girona, and Vall d’Hebron Hospital in Barcelona. The Civil Protection agency activated cooperation with the Red Cross to establish a reception center at Can Ramis in Sant Celoni for those requiring medical assistance. Some passengers managed to exit the bus under their own power and climb the slope back to the road. Others remained trapped and required extraction by emergency teams. Authorities emphasized the challenging nature of the accident site. Lleonart described the area as having difficult access and being very unstable, filled with trees and rocks. A primary objective for rescuers was to shore up the bus to ensure safe evacuation. Due to the rugged topography, officials acknowledged difficulty determining if any passengers had been thrown clear of the vehicle or might have been run over. Drones and tracking dogs were used to comb the area within a 30-meter radius of the bus. Officials stated that a definitive assessment regarding additional victims or fatalities would require daylight conditions the following morning. Investigations into the cause of the accident are ongoing. Reports indicate the bus left the narrow, winding roadway before falling off the embankment. The specific reasons for the vehicle leaving the road remain under investigation. The region of Montseny is known for its hilly landscape, which complicates rescue operations. The shuttle service is a common mode of transport for visitors exploring the natural park. The incident drew immediate attention from regional leadership, who coordinated with local emergency services throughout the evening. Rescue operations continued through the night to secure the scene and attend to remaining casualties. The stability of the wrecked bus posed a continuous risk during these operations. Medical teams prioritized the transfer of the most critically injured to specialized care facilities. The community of Fogars de Montclús served as the central point for coordinating the massive logistical effort involving multiple agencies.