A double-decker bus crashed into a bus shelter in central Stockholm on Friday afternoon, resulting in multiple casualties. Emergency services confirmed fatalities and serious injuries in the collision that occurred around 3 PM local time.
Rescue services spokesperson Oscar Davila stated that several people suffered serious injuries in the incident. "We are assisting ambulance personnel with help at the scene," he said in a statement. Emergency medical services confirmed at least two people were transported to hospital by ambulance, while police verified that fatalities had occurred.
An eyewitness described the chaotic scene to local media. "I see at least three ambulances, three fire trucks, five police cars. They have cordoned off the area," the witness reported. The bus involved in the accident belonged to transportation company Transdev, which operates several routes in the Stockholm region.
Transdev communications director Lovisa Ă…bom acknowledged their vehicle's involvement. "It is one of our buses that was involved and it is a double-decker. I also know that there are personal injuries but I have no information about how it happened right now," she said in a company statement.
Police have classified the incident as gross manslaughter, though the cause remains unknown. Police spokesperson Nadya Norton confirmed investigators were working to determine what led to the crash. "We are there to find out the circumstances," she stated. Authorities declined to provide specific numbers of casualties or details about the victims' ages and genders.
The investigation continues as police interview people present at the scene. Transportation authorities have temporarily rerouted bus lines 4, 6, 67, and 72 around the affected area between Engelbrektsgatan and Odengatan. Regional healthcare services reported that their emergency response was concluding by 4:20 PM.
This tragic accident highlights ongoing concerns about public transportation safety in dense urban environments. Stockholm's bus network serves thousands of passengers daily, making such incidents particularly alarming for commuters. The city has invested heavily in transportation infrastructure in recent years, but this event raises questions about operational safety protocols.
Similar bus accidents have occurred in other Nordic capitals, prompting reviews of driver training and vehicle maintenance standards. The coming days will likely see increased scrutiny of public transportation safety measures across Sweden as investigators work to determine what caused this devastating collision.