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Reports indicate “at least” 28 people have died following a tourist bus crash in the Portuguese island of Madiera.
The cause of the deadly crash, which happened around 6:30 p.m. local time, is unknown at this time. Witnesses on the scene say that the bus reportedly flipped over.
It is unclear if how many — if any — American citizens were on board the bus. Reports indicate there were approximately 50 people on board the bus.
Additionally, it is not known what the company was operating the bus involved in the crash.
At this time, the death toll reports have varied from at least nine people to at least 28 people. While initial reports stated that at least nine people were killed, further reports indicate that the death toll is close to thirty.
German newspaper Bild has reported that nine of the deceased are German tourists.
Madeira, an archipelago comprising 4 islands off the northwest coast of Africa, has a population of approximately 254,876.
Today, Madeira is primarily a resort-island, as it’s yearly 1.4 million tourists is almost five times its own population.
Madeira island has two airports: Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport — as the Portuguese soccer star was born on the island — and Porto Santo Airport.
