German Pastor Praises Medics After Deadly Madeira Bus Crash

By BARRY HATTON LISBON, Portugal (AP) — All the 29 people killed in a tour bus crash on Portugal's Madeira Island were German, Portugal's foreign ministry confirmed Thursday.The bus carrying 55 people, all German tourists except a Portuguese driver and guide, rolled down a steep hill after veering off the road on a bend east of Madeira's capital, Funchal, on Wednesday evening when it was still light and in fine weather. The crash injured 28 others.A foreign ministry statement reiterated the government's condolences to the families of victims, and said the crash "claimed the lives of 29 German citizens."Authorities said they are investigating the cause and would inspect the bus for mechanical problems.Portuguese officials had previously said they had not yet identified the victims by name or nationality.People at the roadside are also thought to be among the injured.Tomasia Alves, head of the Funchal hospital, said authorities hope to have a list of victims by Saturday. She said the victims were roughly between 40 and 60 years old and included no children.She said 28 people were taken from the accident scene to a morgue, and another person died later in hospital.German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said he was "deeply shaken by the tragic bus crash." He was due to travel to Madeira on Thursday afternoon and meet his Portuguese counterpart there.German Chancellor Angela Merkel expressed "sadness and shock" at the accident. "My sincere sympathy goes especially to all of the fami...
Source: JEMS: Journal of Emergency Medical Services News - Category: Emergency Medicine Tags: Operations News Source Type: news