A bus carrying mostly German tourists veered off the road on the Portuguese island of Madeira.

The incident occurred near the city of Caniço, a coastal town in the south of the island, which lies about 600 miles south-west of mainland Portugal, 29 people lost their lives, and 27 other people were injured.

The coach was reportedly carrying 55 passengers when it veered off a road on a bend east of the capital, Funchal, before rolling down a steep hillside.

The Portuguese tour guide and driver reportedly survived the accident, and they along with the other wounded people were taken to hospital while the victims reportedly included 17 women and 11 men.

The accident location was closed by the police while an investigation was launched.

ILKHA