Serious Bus Accident in Barcelona: Dozens Injured
A serious bus accident occurred on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, on the C-32 motorway between Santa Susanna and Palafolls in Barcelona, Spain. The bus, carrying 60 employees from the textile giant Inditex, crashed and ended up vertically in front of a tunnel, resulting in dozens of injuries.
Details of the Incident
The accident happened around 9:00 a.m. when the driver lost control of the vehicle, causing it to collide with the side wall of the tunnel. Due to the speed of the bus, it ended up in an upright position. According to authorities, 52 out of the 60 passengers required medical attention, with three people, including the driver, in critical condition. The critically injured were airlifted to hospitals, while five others were transported by ambulance.
Possible Cause and Response
Authorities have not yet confirmed the exact cause of the accident, but reports suggest a tire burst might have caused the driver to lose control. This led the bus to skid and hit the safety barrier, which threw the vehicle into the air. The C-32 motorway remains closed as emergency services, including 24 firefighters, two helicopters, and around 15 ambulances, work to clear the area and investigate the incident. The passengers were en route to a factory in Tordera, a site owned by Inditex.
- The Catalonia medical emergency system confirmed on social media that they had treated 52 people, including three in critical condition. Firefighters had to cut through the vehicle to free the trapped driver.
- Inditex, the world's leading fashion retailer known for brands like Zara, Bershka, and Massimo Dutti, confirmed that the bus was transporting its employees to one of its sites in Tordera. The company has not yet commented on the accident's cause.
- Images and videos of the accident have been widely shared on social media, showing the bus embedded almost vertically at the tunnel entrance. The motorway remains closed as of the latest update at 4:30 p.m. on July 16, 2024.
