HELSINKI, Dec 31 (NNN-XINHUA) — A total of 16 people were injured after a bus crashed into the facade of a building in Liljeholmen, a district in southern Stockholm, on Tuesday afternoon, local authorities said.
Region Stockholm said seven people were taken to hospital, including two who were seriously injured, while nine others sought care at a nearby urgent care clinic. One of the injured was airlifted to hospital by ambulance helicopter, according to the region.
Police said a total of 17 people were on board the bus at the time of the crash. No injuries were reported among people outside the bus, police added.
The accident was reported to police at 4:06 p.m. local time near a tram station. Emergency services, including ambulances, rescue crew and several police units, were dispatched to the scene.
Police have launched a criminal investigation on suspicion of careless driving and causing bodily harm. The bus has been seized and will be removed for a technical examination, police said.
Authorities have also collected video footage from a surveillance camera inside the bus and from a train at the scene, which recorded parts of the incident.
Stockholm Public Transport (SL) said it will conduct its own inquiry. The bus involved was operating route 147, with Liljeholmen as its final stop.
Operator Nobina said the bus was new and underwent a routine daily safety check on Monday evening, but it was not immediately able to confirm when the vehicle was last formally inspected.
Region Stockholm said the medical response at the scene ended shortly after 5:30 p.m. local time. Tram and bus services through Liljeholmen were temporarily halted in both directions, while some traffic disruptions remained in place due to cordons near the crash site. — NNN-AGENCIES