Two killed, 20 injured after bus hits pedestrians near Lisbon railway station

Two people were killed and at least 20 others injured after a bus reportedly lost control and struck pedestrians near the Agualva-Cacém railway station in Sintra, on the outskirts of Lisbon, on July 7, Portuguese authorities said.

According to police, the two victims, both women, were waiting at a bus stop inside a tunnel leading to the railway station when the bus crashed into them. Four of the injured are in critical condition, while the remaining victims sustained less serious injuries, Portuguese media reports.

Emergency services deployed more than 30 personnel and 14 vehicles to the scene after receiving the alert at 9:44 a.m. local time. Most of those with minor injuries were passengers aboard the bus who had been preparing to disembark.

The injured were transported to nearby Amadora-Sintra and Francisco Xavier hospitals for treatment.

Authorities have not yet determined what caused the bus to lose control. The driver, who suffered minor injuries, is receiving psychological support while investigators examine the circumstances of the crash. A local firefighting official said preliminary indications suggest the bus may have failed to brake before the collision.

Forensic investigators remain at the scene, and officials have warned that the casualty toll could change as the investigation continues.

By Sabina Mammadli