Vanuatu tourist bus crash kills three, injures 10
Air ambulances flew from Brisbane and Noumea to Port Vila to evacuate the badly injured foreigners
SYDNEY (AFP) - Three Vanuatu locals were killed and 10 Australian tourists injured, some seriously, when two buses collided in the Pacific island nation’s capital, officials said Tuesday.
The tourists were on a stopover during a P&O cruise from Brisbane to Noumea in New Caledonia when their bus slammed into another vehicle late Monday in Port Vila.
The Vanuatu Daily Post reported on Twitter that three locals died in the accident while P&O said 10 of the 12 tourists on board were hurt.
Air ambulances flew from Brisbane and Noumea to Port Vila to evacuate the badly injured foreigners, with the local hospital struggling to cope.
"It can now be confirmed that 10 of the Pacific Dawn guests sustained significant injuries," P&O said on its Facebook page.
Ann Sherry, executive chairman of Carnival which represents Australia’s top cruise brands including P&O, said three children were among those hurt, with an 11-year-old critical with head injuries.
"It’s been a terrible incident, obviously, and we have done everything we can to support and ensure that families receive the care they need," she told reporters in Sydney, adding that most victims had fractures.
Tourism is hugely important to Vanuatu’s economy and Public Utilities Minister Jotham Napat promised a full investigation would be carried out into the crash.
"The Vanuatu government is committed to ensuring safety on our roads," he said in a statement.
"Tourism is one of our most important industries and it is a priority of our government to ensure our visitors enjoy all Vanuatu has to offer."
The Pacific Dawn, carrying 2,000 passengers, would continue its cruise, Sherry added, denying the accident would deter future cruisegoers.
"Ensuring that people are safe while they’re in those destinations is ultimately one of the things that we do try to provide. So I wouldn’t be frightened," she said.
