Tragedy in the Pyrénées-Orientales: Bus Accident Leaves Several Dead and Seriously Injured

On the afternoon of Sunday, December 1, a serious bus accident occurred on the RN 320 in Porté-Puymorens, near the Andorran border. The toll is heavy: at least three dead, according to the Ministry of Transport.

Massive Emergency Response Deployed

The Spanish bus, carrying 47 passengers including the driver, crashed violently into a cliff. Emergency services reported several people in critical condition, while seven others sustained moderate injuries, according to a statement from the Pyrénées-Orientales Prefecture.

In response to the scale of the tragedy, extensive resources were mobilized: 120 firefighters, some from neighboring departments, and helicopters from civil security and the gendarmerie. The injured were transported to nearby hospitals, and a psychological support unit was set up to assist victims and their families.

Mountain Road Closed to Traffic

The accident took place on a winding section of the RN 320, a mountain road connecting the Pyrénées-Orientales with Ariège, Andorra, and Spain. Traffic was halted in both directions, and an investigation has been launched to determine the exact circumstances of the incident.

Transport Minister Reacts

On social media, the Minister of Transport extended his condolences to the victims’ families and expressed support for the injured. “I commend the commitment of the emergency services, security forces, and local authorities in the face of this tragedy,” he stated, assuring the public he is closely monitoring the situation.

This tragic accident casts a shadow over the region, which typically sees heavy traffic during this season as the holidays approach and the first snowfalls draw visitors.