One dead after bus carrying British tourists crashes in Canary Islands, officials say
One Dead, 27 Injured in Bus Accident on La Gomera Island
Emergency responders confirmed that a bus transporting British visitors overturned into a ravine on La Gomera, one of the Canary Islands’ smaller islands. The incident occurred while the vehicle was en route to the San Sebastián de La Gomera dock, where a ferry was scheduled to depart for Tenerife. Local authorities reported 28 individuals on board, comprising 27 tourists from the UK and a single driver.
According to 112 Canarias, the emergency services agency, the crash resulted in one fatality and 27 injuries. Four of the injured were hospitalized in serious condition, while the rest received treatment for less severe wounds. The majority of the victims were taken to Hospital Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, located on the island’s eastern side. Two seriously hurt men, aged 73 and 42, were later transferred via helicopter to facilities in Tenerife, the larger neighboring island.
The accident happened at 13:16 local time, which corresponds to 13:16 BST. The bus was traveling on the GM-2 road when it veered off course and plummeted approximately 10 meters, as noted by El Mundo. This route is known for its steep inclines and tight turns, with an image shared by emergency personnel showing the crash site near a sharp hairpin bend. Three helicopters and five ambulances were deployed to the scene to assist with the rescue and transport of the injured.
La Gomera, the second smallest of Spain’s Canary Islands, is a favored destination for hikers due to its rugged volcanic terrain and extensive trail networks. The island is just 50 minutes from Tenerife by ferry. President Fernando Clavijo of the Canary Islands expressed his solidarity with the victims and their families, while the island’s emergency operations chief, Héctor Cabrera, stated that the passengers were staying at a resort before the incident.
Tourism Figures Highlight Island’s Appeal
La Gomera welcomed around 70,000 tourists in 2025, as per the Canary Islands Tourism Observatory. The archipelago, including the Canary Islands, attracts approximately 3.83 million visitors annually, underscoring its significance as a travel hotspot for British travelers.
“The bus passengers were staying at a resort on the island,” said Héctor Cabrera, head of emergency operations in La Gomera.
“Support to the victims and their families,” stated Fernando Clavijo, president of the Canary Islands.
