3 dead after bus in Norway ferrying tourists from S’pore & other countries crashes into icy lake

UPDATE on Dec. 28 at 7:30pm: This article has been updated with a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA).

At least three people died and four others were injured after a bus ferrying tourists from Singapore and other nationalities crashed in northern Norway on Dec. 26, local police said.

The bus ran off the E10 highway in stormy weather at around 1:30pm (local time) and ended up partially submerged in the Åsvatnet lake near the Rafsundet strait, Norwegian media reported.

It is a major road that links Norway's mainland to the Lofoten archipelago, a popular tourist spot to catch the aurora borealis.

Police said the bus was believed to have been carrying 58 people at the time, BBC reported.

Bus carried tourists from 8 countries, 3 dead so far

Bent Are Eilertsen, chief of staff in the Nordland police district, told Norwegian broadcaster NRK that the bus was carrying passengers from eight countries: China, France, India, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Norway, Singapore and South Sudan.

Eilertsen said three deaths have been reported so far.

Four people were assessed to have slight to serious injuries, police told Norwegian newspaper VG.

A total of 11 people from the accident were subsequently conveyed to Stokmarknes hospital, nine by ambulance and two by helicopter.

The Norwegian Red Cross, various emergency services and several rescue helicopters were activated to the scene.

Reports of heavy snowdrifts and strong winds in the area have complicated rescue efforts, according to BBC.

Tragic Bus Accident in Norway: Three Dead After Vehicle Skids Into Lake

A bus carrying around 60 passengers veered off a highway and plunged into a lake in Norway, leaving three people dead, according to NRK reports. The accident has shocked the nation, with emergency services… pic.twitter.com/Q4itPRd6fX

— Ali Shunnaq (@schunnaq) December 27, 2024

At least 5 S'pore passengers on bus: Shin Min

A passenger claiming to have been a doctorate student in Singapore wrote in a Xiaohongshu post that he had been on the bus with his wife as the cruise they booked had been cancelled due to bad weather, Shin Min Daily News reported.

The user wrote the bus had been driving at a fast speed in "heavy rain and snow" conditions prior to the accident.

He indicated that after exiting a tunnel, the bus lost control and skidded, before hitting the side of the road.

It then flipped, fell down the slope and into the icy lake.

"People started screaming in the bus. After checking that my wife and I were unhurt, we made our way out of the bus through broken glass," the user wrote.

He added that they made it safely to a hotel, along with other travellers.

At least five from Singapore are believed to have been on the bus, based on messages posted to social media, Shin Min reported.

Two reportedly sustained minor injuries in the crash.

Our thoughts are with those affected: Norway PM

Norway's Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said on national television that his thoughts were with those who were affected by the accident.

“It’s a very serious accident with many involved, some killed or seriously injured.” he told NRK.

Investigations into the cause of the accident are underway.

On Dec. 28, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) shared that the Singaporeans involved had "minor injuries" and were receiving assistance and support.

Top image from @realzaidzayn/X