Four people were killed and dozens more injured after a passenger bus overturned in western Canada, and authorities said Sunday that icy roads were likely the cause.
The accident happened Saturday night on a highway about 200 miles (330 kilometers) east of Vancouver, in an area of British Columbia hit by days of bad winter weather.
Federal police said Sunday afternoon they suspected “extremely icy road conditions” caused the rollover, but an investigation was ongoing.
“Four people are confirmed dead and several people were injured,” the police statement added.
The regional health authority said fifty-three people in total had been treated in hospitals after the accident, with 36 having “serious to minor” injuries.
As of Sunday morning, eight people remained 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 accident, their loved ones and the first responders and medical workers who are giving their all to treat people and keep them safe,” he said in a statement.
A part of the road affected by the accident was closed until Sunday morning, the provincial transport authorities tweeted.
The accident occurred as brutal weather battered wide swaths of North America, hampering transportation and causing numerous fatal accidents during one of the busiest travel periods of the year leading up to the Christmas and New Year holidays.
On the other side of Canada, trains between Ottawa and Toronto were disrupted all day Saturday and Sunday due to falling trees and power outages caused by a major winter storm.
“To Canadians affected by winter weather across the country, stay safe,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted on Saturday.
“Crews are hard at work clearing roads, restoring power and bringing services back online. Please reach out to our friends and neighbors to ask how they are doing and see if they need anything,” he added.
