Crashed bus removed from street, building structure reinforced

The Chief Executive visits the injured at the hospital

The wreckage of the bus that crashed into a building on Rua da Entena on Monday leaving 32 passengers injured and seriously damaging the building, was removed from the street yesterday.
Prior to removal, several iron pillars were installed to compensate for the fact that a main pillar of the building was hit and almost destroyed by the out-of-control bus.
The latest information released by authorities indicates that 10 of the injured remain at the Kiang Wu Hospital. Three of the injured are in intensive care and there is one case considered life threatening.
The 22 tourists that were discharged from hospital were taken to the Public Prosecutions Office, where they testified their accounts of the incident. According to the Government Spokesperson Office, “the local travel agency [involved in the accident] is negotiating with the tourists the compensation to be paid, which depends on the injuries suffered.” The travel agency “will pay the compensations in advance,” before concluding negotiations ongoing with its insurance company.

The bus being towed at Rua da Entena

Following the evacuation of residents from the building on Monday, the Social Welfare Bureau (IAS) issued a statement yesterday informing that seven families who live in the affected building were lodging in a center for victims of accidents. Five other families totaling 10 persons, were temporarily lodged in hotels with IAS support.
The bus was carrying 46 tourists that had arrived from Shenzhen for a short one-day visit. The tour group included tourists from several different regions and provinces of mainland China.
The driver was allegedly outside of the vehicle trying to resolve a smaller traffic accident when the bus started to roll down the road. According to preliminary conclusions from the police, it did not have its brake applied successfully.
The structure of the building that was struck by the bus requires assessment, the director of the Land, Public Works and Transport Bureau (DSSOPT), Li Canfeng, said on Monday.
“The pillar [hit by the bus] is a main pillar and an important part of the building’s structure,” he stated. PB