Bus carrying 34 German tourists overturns in Norway – several minor injuries

Statements from the emergency services

An ARD spokesperson said: "Niemand schwebe in Lebensgefahr." The German tour operator thereby also confirmed that, according to the current state of knowledge, there were no life-threatening injuries to report. Those affected were receiving medical care on site.

According to police, the bus belonging to the Bremen coach company was traveling toward Trondheim when it left the road for reasons as yet unexplained and overturned. The accident site is located in a sparsely populated region in northern Norway, which can hamper rescue operations.

Rescue services and police were deployed to care for the occupants and secure the accident site. The E6 is Norway's most important north-south artery, running from southern Sweden to the far north. Details on the cause of the accident and the exact sequence of events were not initially known.

Accident site on the E6

According to ARD, the German Embassy in Oslo and the Consulate General in Bergen were involved in supporting the travelers and their relatives. The travel group itself and the Bremen bus company also established contact with relatives. Some of those with minor injuries had already received medical care.

According to the initial findings of the Trøndelag police, there is no indication of third-party involvement. The investigations into the cause of the accident were ongoing. Whether weather conditions, driver error, or a technical defect played a role remained open, according to the emergency services.

The incident is part of a series of bus accidents involving German tourists abroad. Just last year, comparable incidents had occurred in Italy and Austria, which likewise resulted predominantly in minor injuries. Tour operators are increasingly being confronted with questions about vehicle safety following such incidents.

Investigations into the cause

Norway has strict regulations for bus travel, particularly on the long routes in the north of the country. The police pointed out that parts of the E6 are winding and weather-sensitive. For travelers, the ADAD generally recommends obtaining information in advance about the safety equipment of the vehicle for group trips.

The Bremen bus company initially did not comment on any possible consequences. It was in close contact with the local authorities to provide the best possible care for the travelers, according to an initial statement. The Norwegian police also announced that they would investigate the course of the accident in detail.

For the 34 German tourists, the trip ended in a fright. While those with minor injuries could be treated on an outpatient basis, the exact health status of all occupants remained the subject of investigations in the evening. Further information, also regarding the group's return journey, was expected in the coming days.

The Norwegian police set up a hotline for relatives. Concerned family members could obtain information about the condition of their relatives via a specially set up number. The German travel company also offered a telephone contact point for concerned relatives.