The bus was carrying around 60 staff when it crashed near Pineda de Mar, 50 kilometres (30 miles) up the coast from Barcelona, leaving the front end of the vehicle embedded in the roof of the tunnel at a 45-degree angle, rescue service images showed.
The emergency services in the northeastern Catalonia region said they “treated 52 people” of whom three were in critical condition and had to be flown to hospital by helicopter, in a posting on X.
Els bombers estan intentant rescatar dues persones atrapades a la part davantera de l'autobús que ha bolcat a la C-32 a Tordera https://t.co/KLwK4HpbaL pic.twitter.com/tQj42Uo5FR
— 324.cat (@324cat) July 16, 2024
Another five, one who was in serious condition, were also taken to hospital.
In a separate post, the fire service said they had to work to cut free the driver who was trapped inside the vehicle.
#bomberscat hem alliberat el conductor de l'autobús accidentat a la C-32 a Pineda de Mar i estem fent maniobres amb les autoescales per evacuar-lo del lloc.
S'ha habilitat el pavelló de Pineda de Mar per poder atendre a les persones afectades. pic.twitter.com/UM4GcUrwjt
— Bombers (@bomberscat) July 16, 2024
The bus was carrying employees of Inditex, the world’s largest fashion retailer, from Barcelona to Tordera where several of its brands are based, including Bershka, Massimo Dutti and Oysho, a spokesman told AFP.
According to La Vanguardia daily, the emergency services believed one of the vehicle’s tyres blew out, causing the driver to lose control and hit the crash barrier.
It may have forced the vehicle onto its back wheels, its front end rearing up to jam itself into the roof of the tunnel entrance, the report said.
The Spanish fashion giant owns Inditex owns eight brands, including Zara, Pull&Bear and teen label Stradivarius.
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