Worst Road Traffic Accident In The History Of Madeira
In the morning hours of April 17, an incident occurred that is to be remembered as the worst road traffic accident in the history of Madeira. During the tragic accident, a bus carrying a tourist group from Germany, consisting of 56 individuals, was traveling from Caniço in Santa Cruz county to Funchal. The accident occurred shortly after departure, as the bus veered off the road at a curve shortly after departing from Caniço road, plunging down an embankment and colliding with a nearby house."
29 People Died, All Were German Nationals
Among the 56 individuals on board, 28 lost their lives instantly, while 28 others sustained injuries. The injured included two Portuguese nationals, the tour guide, and the bus driver. One of the injured passengers passed away later in the hospital, bringing the total death toll to 29, consisting of 11 men and 18 women, all of whom were German nationals.
Response and Support
In response to the tragedy, Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa offered his sympathy and declared a three-day national mourning period in Portugal. German government spokesperson Steffen Seibert expressed sorrow over the incident, and German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas visited Madeira with a team of medical and psychological professionals to offer support and gratitude to the Portuguese authorities.
Investigation and Accountability
The investigation conducted by the Portuguese authorities ruled out any mechanical failures as the cause of the accident, dispelling earlier speculations about brake failure. Instead, the driver of the bus was charged with reckless driving based on the findings of the investigation. However, the details of the charges have not been made public, and the driver - who died subsequently for other reasons - always denied any wrongdoing.
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