At least three people died and four others were seriously injured when a bus carrying 58 passengers crashed into a lake in northern Norway’s Hadsel district on December 26, 2024. Among the other passengers, five Chinese tourists sustained minor injuries, according to the Chinese embassy in Oslo.
The accident occurred around 1:30 PM near Raftsundet in the Lofoten archipelago, a chain of islands located approximately 170 miles north of the Arctic Circle known for its stunning winter views of the northern lights.
The vehicle, operated by Boreal Buss AS, was traveling from the coastal city of Narvik to Solvaer in the Lofoten archipelago when it veered off the E10 highway, a major tourist route used for northern lights excursions. The bus became partially submerged in Lake Åsvatnet.
A photojournalist who arrived at the scene reported that it appeared the bus had driven through the guardrail and down the slope to Åsvatnet. “There was a very strong wind and dense snow drifts when I arrived at the scene.”
The multinational passenger list included tourists from eight countries: China, France, India, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Norway, Singapore, and South Sudan. The Chinese Embassy in Oslo confirmed approximately 20 Chinese nationals were aboard, with five sustaining minor injuries.
Resident Freddy Andreassen was among the first responders at the scene. “People were screaming and in shock,” he said. “I backed the trailer so that people could get into it and get shelter from the wind.”
A large-scale emergency response was initiated, though severe weather conditions posed significant challenges. Randi Angelsen, Nordland’s Communications manager, explained that additional resources, including personnel, ambulances, helicopters, and aircraft, were deployed to transport injured individuals to the hospital. Local witnesses tried to rescue passengers by breaking windows, but strong winds, heavy snow, and icy conditions hindered their efforts.
Another resident, Tobias Fredriksen, entered the freezing waters to assist passengers trapped inside the partially submerged bus, noting that it took emergency crews 30 to 45 minutes to arrive.
The Hadsel municipality activated its emergency response plan, mobilizing all available resources. Some evacuated passengers were transported to a local school, while critically injured individuals were airlifted to nearby hospitals by helicopter. The municipality established a crisis center at a local hotel, providing support through family doctors and mental health services for survivors, witnesses, and victims’ families.
Martin Reberg, general manager of Boreal Buss AS, confirmed that the crash involved one of their vehicles and stated that a crisis team had been established within the company. He emphasized that they were cooperating with emergency services and providing all available assistance resources.
Nordland Police Officer Bent Are Eilertsen highlighted the challenges investigators were facing, noting that the immediate priority was treating the injured and that an investigation would follow to determine the cause of the incident. He also mentioned that contacting relatives was difficult due to the incomplete passenger list and the multiple nationalities involved.
The Norwegian Red Cross deployed personnel to aid in the rescue efforts. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store extended his condolences to those affected and referred to the situation as very serious.
