Standing-passenger limits examined after Catalonia bus plunges down embankment

RTVE reports eight people seriously injured as investigators examine the mountain-road crash and officials consider tighter rules for standing passengers.

Channel: RTVE Noticias ·

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Los Mossos investigan si había demasiados pasajeros de pie en el autobús siniestrado en Cataluña

Whether too many passengers were standing is one focus of the investigation into a bus that plunged down an embankment in Montseny, near Barcelona, on Sunday. Spain's public broadcaster Radiotelevisión Española, through RTVE Noticias, reports 87 people injured, eight seriously.

The shuttle serving the natural park had 65 seats but was carrying at least 87 people, according to the report. That difference does not itself establish that the bus exceeded its authorized capacity: the report explains that regulations permit standing passengers on certain interurban journeys shorter than 50 kilometers.

Reporting from Fogars de Montclús, Begoña Fuentes says the driver tested negative for alcohol and drugs. The Mossos d'Esquadra, Catalonia's regional police force, are investigating what caused the vehicle to leave the road. The report says no other vehicle was involved.

Footage shows emergency crews working around the bus, which fell about ten meters. Fire service subinspector Cristian Sevillano explains that heavy lifting equipment is needed to raise it and check whether anyone is trapped underneath. At the time of the broadcast, crews were still awaiting the cranes.

Residents describe a narrow mountain road with bends, steep gradients and ravines. Catalonia's interior minister, Núria Parlon, raises the possibility of reviewing regulations to prevent passengers from standing on mountainous routes. That is a potential policy change, not a finding that standing passengers caused this crash.

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