A bus transporting Canadian tourists crashed in Cuba on Sunday.
The bus was on its way to the Santa Clara Airport for a flight back to Montreal when it crashed in Camajuani, roughly 25 kilometres east of the airport.
In an email to Global News on Monday, Air Transat confirmed the bus involved in the collision was operated by one of its transfer partners and was carrying 38 passengers destined for flight TS715 to Montreal.
“An oncoming car lost control and collided with the bus, causing it to overturn,” wrote Transat spokesperson Bernard Côté.
“All passengers were immediately taken care of and transported to a nearby hospital. We are certainly concerned about everyone’s health and well-being and are doing everything we can to offer the necessary support during this difficult time.”
According to local media reports, a Cuban national who was driving the car was killed in the crash and 26 other people were injured. Of the injured, one is said to be in serious condition and six of them are minors.
Air Transat said that it was working with local authorities and that accommodations had been arranged at a nearby hotel for passengers with minor injuries and those under observation.
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“We are closely monitoring the situation and providing ongoing support on-site to all affected individuals. Our thoughts are with these travellers,” Côté said, adding repatriation efforts are underway.
Global Affairs Canada confirmed late Monday it is “aware of a bus accident in Cuba.”
“Our consular officials in Cuba are actively engaged with local authorities and stand ready to provide consular assistance to Canadian citizens as needed,” spokesperson James Emmanuel Wanki said in a statement.
Anyone who needs help can contact the Canadian Embassy in Havana or Global Affairs’ emergency watch and response centre, he added.
“To date, Global Affairs Canada has not received requests for assistance related to this event and we are closely monitoring the situation,” Wanki said.
— With files from Global News’ Mike Armstrong
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