A tragic bus accident on December 26 claimed three lives and left several injured when the vehicle careened off the road near Hanøya, Hadsel Municipality, Norway. The bus, carrying 58 passengers, was en route from Narvik to Å i Lofoten when it lost control and ended up partially submerged in Åsvatnet Lake.
According to reports from the Nordland Police District, the fatalities comprised two women aged between 20–30 and 40–50, along with a child estimated to be between 10 and 12 years old. Eyewitness accounts suggested the bus was traveling at high speed, with some passengers expressing concerns just before the accident.
Zhang Hujia, a 20-year-old student from Beijing studying in Portugal, recounted his experience. He was aboard when he noticed the alarming speed of the bus. "Only minutes before the accident, I mentioned to my friend on the phone how fast the bus was going," he told VG. Zhang suffered injuries requiring twelve stitches after losing his balance during the crash. He was on holiday with friends and had just recently expressed fears about the speed the bus was going.
Reports cite severe weather conditions contributing to the incident, with the area experiencing strong winds and slippery surfaces at the time. According to the Norwegian Meteorological Institute, wind gusts reached up to 28 meters per second, classified as full storm strength. This raised questions about whether safety protocols were adequately reviewed before the trip. Boreal Norway AS, the bus company, confirmed the driver was formally charged under paragraph three of the Road Traffic Act, but the driver claims he was abiding by the speed limit and driving sensibly under the conditions.
The bus driver’s attorney, Stig Mortensen, shared the driver's perspective, noting, "His belief is the extreme weather conditions were to blame and the wind caused the bus to veer off the road." The attorney also mentioned the driver has cooperated fully with police investigations and expressed deep concern for the victims and their families. "He thinks especially of the child," Mortensen added.
Following the accident, emergency services were quick to respond, with witnesses rushing to assist the victims trapped inside the bus. Remi Johansen, Operations Leader at Nordland Police, confirmed, "There are no reports of missing individuals related to the incident," emphasizing the promptness of the investigation. Nonetheless, the identification of the deceased is proving to be complex, with passengers hailing from eight different countries, complicate family notifications.
This tragic event has drawn attention from city officials, including Hadsel’s Mayor Kjell-Børge Freiberg, who remarked, "This is a tragic accident with the worst possible outcome, where three lives were lost. It affects everyone involved, not least for those who were part of the accident." He noted the pronounced psychological impact on both the surviving passengers and the community.
Meanwhile, non-governmental organizations and crisis teams have mobilized to support survivors and their families. A reception center was established at Thon Hotel in Svolvær for those affected, facilitating emotional support and information dissemination. The community is rallying to provide aid and comfort to those who endured the terrifying experience.
Eyewitness Freddy Andreassen, who was near the scene during the accident, described the conditions as hazardous. "It was very poor conditions with undercooled water, snow, and strong winds. It’s easy for things to go wrong under such circumstances," he said, reflecting the sentiments shared by many about the perilous road conditions on the day of the crash.
Authorities have initiated thorough investigations to discern the precise causes of the accident. Chief of Staff Bent Are Eilertsen of the Nordland Police stated efforts are focused on analyzing the evidence collected, including interviews with the driver and witnesses. "We're working diligently to understand the circumstances leading to this tragedy," he noted. The police hope to provide clarity and information as they continue their investigations.
This incident has left deep emotional scars, not only for the families of the deceased but for the entire community which is grappling with the aftermath of such devastating loss. The situation serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of safety, especially during hazardous weather conditions on the roads.
