LISBON, Portugal, April 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) – At least 28 tourists were confirmed dead on Wednesday, in a bus accident on the Portuguese island of Madeira, with three others seriously injured, local media SIC TV reported.
The 28 people are 11 men and 17 women of German nationality, Mayor of the municipality, Filipe Sousa, said.
The driver and guide are both Portuguese and they are injured.
The tourist bus, carrying 55 German tourists, overturned and fell on the roof of roadside residence.
Speaking outside the Palace of Belem in Lisbon, Portuguese President, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, told reporters that, it was his intention to travel immediately to Funchal, the capital of Madeira, “but a priority emerged” that led him to postpone the trip.
“I was very sensitive to this priority, which is the need for air planes, namely the air plane that was to be used by the Portuguese Air Force to transport the injured people,” he said.
On behalf of the Portuguese government, Prime Minister, Antonio Costa, conveyed “deep condolences” to families of the victims of the bus accident and expressed his regret and condolences to German Chancellor, Angela Merkel.
“At learning of the tragic accident in Madeira, I feel deep regret. To all the families involved, I convey, on behalf of the Portuguese government, my deepest condolences,” Costa wrote on Twitter.– NNN-AGENCIES
