Four people have died and dozens more were injured after a passenger bus overturned in western Canada. Authorities said on Sunday that icy roads were likely the cause.
The accident happened Saturday night on a freeway about 330 kilometers (200 miles) east of Vancouver in an area of British Columbia hit by days of bad winter weather.
Federal police said Sunday afternoon they suspect “extremely icy road conditions” caused the rollover, but the investigation is ongoing.
“Four people have been confirmed dead and several people have sustained injuries,” the police statement added.
The regional health agency said a total of 53 people were treated in hospitals after the accident, with 36 suffering “serious to minor” injuries.
As of Sunday morning, eight people were still hospitalized, including two in critical condition.
British Columbia Premier David Eby said he was “shocked and saddened” by the news.
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“Our thoughts are with those affected by the crash, their families and the first responders and healthcare workers who are doing everything they can to treat and protect people,” he said in a statement.
Part of the highway affected by the accident was closed until Sunday morning, the province’s transport authorities tweeted.
The accident came as brutal weather swept much of North America, disrupting transportation and causing numerous fatal accidents during one of the busiest travel times of the year leading up to the Christmas and New Year holidays.
On the other side of Canada, trains between Ottawa and Toronto were suspended all day Saturday and Sunday due to fallen trees and power outages caused by a massive winter storm.
“To Canadians affected by winter weather across the country – please stay healthy,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted on Saturday.
“Crews are working hard to clear roads, restore power and bring services back online. Let’s stop by our friends and neighbors to see how they’re doing and see if they need anything,” he added.