Several people were killed and multiple others injured when a double-decker bus crashed into a bus shelter in central Stockholm on Friday afternoon. The incident occurred around 3:24pm local time on Valhallavägen street in the upscale Östermalm district, near the Royal Institute of Technology university.
The bus driver has been arrested on suspicion of aggravated manslaughter. Police spokesperson Nadya Norton confirmed the investigation: «We need to question the driver, then we will see if he's going to be released or detained.» Authorities emphasized the incident is not being investigated as a terror attack.
Emergency services transported five people to hospital, two with serious injuries, according to Michelle Marcher for the Stockholm region. The double-decker bus was not in service at the time and carried no passengers. The vehicle, operating on route 676 between Norrtälje and Stockholm, reportedly hit a pole before striking the shelter.
Witnesses describe chaos
Witnesses described scenes of panic and devastation. One local resident told Aftonbladet: «I was lying in bed in my room when I heard a loud band and several people screaming. I then ran over to the window and saw a bus had crashed and several people on the ground.»
Michelle Mac Key, who arrived shortly after the crash, witnessed the aftermath: «I walked across the road and saw the double-decker bus that rammed into a bus stop. I witnessed total chaos.» She added: «I will have nightmares.»
Political response
Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson expressed his condolences on X: «We do not yet know the cause of this, but right now my thoughts are foremost with those who have been affected and their families.» Deputy Prime Minister Ebba Busch stated: «I am devastated by the terrible news that people have lost their lives after a bus crashed into a bus shelter in central Stockholm.»
Police cordoned off a large section of Valhallavägen between Odengatan and Engelbrektsgatan. The cause of the crash remains unknown, with public transport agency SL confirming they could not yet determine what led to the incident during rush hour traffic.
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
