A man has died and 27 others were injured after a bus carrying British tourists veered off a mountain road and crashed into a ravine in Spain’s Canary Islands, authorities said.The accident took place around 1.15 pm local time on Friday on the GM-2 highway near San Sebastián de La Gomera on the island of La Gomera.According to the officials, the bus lost control at a bend and slid down a slope into a ravine. The vehicle was reportedly carrying a group of British tourists on their way to a boat tour.
Casualties and injuries
Emergency services confirmed that one man died in the crash, while 27 others — including the driver — were injured. Among them, several passengers sustained serious injuries, with at least three reported to be in critical condition.Most of the injured were initially taken to the local hospital in San Sebastián, with some later transferred to facilities on the neighbouring island of Tenerife for advanced treatment.
Emergency response and rescue efforts
Rescue teams, including firefighters, police, ambulances and air rescue units, rushed to the scene after receiving alerts shortly after 1 pm.Images released by authorities showed the bus lying off the road in a steep ravine, suggesting the impact of the crash was severe.
Officials react
Fernando Clavijo, president of the Canary Islands, said he was closely monitoring the situation and expressed support for the victims and their families.The British embassy in Madrid also said it was aware of the incident and stood ready to assist affected nationals.Spanish police have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the crash. Authorities have not yet confirmed whether factors such as road conditions, driver error or mechanical failure played a role.The GM-2 road has seen serious accidents in the past. Last year, one woman died and 10 people were injured in an accident on the same route.