One dead after bus carrying British tourists crashes in Canary Islands, officials say
One British Tourist Dies in Bus Accident on Canary Islands
Emergency crews confirmed the death of a man and the injury of 27 others following a bus crash in La Gomera, one of Spain’s Canary Islands. The incident occurred when the vehicle plunged into a ravine, according to reports from local authorities.
The group was en route to San Sebastián de La Gomera dock, where they planned to board a ferry to Tenerife. A total of 28 individuals were on board, comprising 27 British tourists and a single driver, as stated by 112 Canarias, the regional emergency services.
Medical Response and Hospital Transfers
Those injured were transported to hospitals, with four in critical condition. Most were taken to Hospital Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, located on the island’s eastern side. Later in the evening, 112 Canarias noted that two patients, both aged 73 and 42, were initially sent there but later moved via helicopter to facilities on Tenerife.
“The passengers were staying at a resort on the island,” shared Héctor Cabrera, head of emergency operations in La Gomera, during a TVE broadcast.
The crash happened at 13:16 local time (13:16 BST), when the bus departed the road and slid down a slope. The vehicle was traveling along the GM-2 road, which is known for its steep terrain and sharp turns. El Mundo reported that the accident occurred near a hairpin bend, with the bus falling from a height of approximately 10 meters.
Responders deployed three helicopters and five ambulances to the scene. President Fernando Clavijo of the Canary Islands extended his support to the victims and their families. La Gomera, the second smallest of the islands, is a short 50-minute ferry ride from Tenerife, the largest.
Popular Destination for Hikers
La Gomera is celebrated for its hiking trails, winding through volcanic landscapes. The Canary Islands, as a whole, attract a significant number of British visitors—around 3.83 million in 2025—with approximately 70,000 specifically heading to La Gomera, according to the Canary Islands Tourism Observatory.