Costa del Sol
Bus carrying Finnish tourists overturns on the Benalmádena by pass. First reports speak of at least eight deaths.
By h.b. - Apr 19, 2008 - 9:22 PM
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Reports say that many more people and bodies are trapped in the bus and the number of fatalities is expected to increase considerably.
What is being described as the worst road accident in recent years in the province of Málaga has happened tonight. First reports indicate that at least eight people have died and many more have been injured in a coach crash on the A7 Benalmádena bypass this evening.
It happened at 1930 at the 224 km point above Arroyo de la Miel, when the bus, carrying a group of Finnish tourists, left the road overturned, for reasons which are still to be established.
It is a very fast downhill stretch of road and it had been raining in the area for most of the day.
The tourists were reported to be on their way back to Málaga airport at the end of their holiday on the Costa del Sol.
Eight bodies are reported to have been removed from the scene but the number of dead could be considerably higher than that, with some reports saying the emergency services at the scene think the number of fatalities could reach more than 20.
There are reports of more people and bodies being trapped in the wreckage.
The road has been closed direction Málaga, and there are long delays direction Fuengirola. The DGT traffic authorities ask people to avoid the area if at all possible.