At least 83 people were injured, including seven seriously, after a passenger bus veered off a narrow mountain road and plunged down a 20-metre embankment near Barcelona in northeastern Spain, emergency authorities said.

The accident occurred on Sunday afternoon in the municipality of Fogars de Montclus, according to the Catalan Emergency Medical Service (SEM). Spanish news agency EFE reported that the bus left the roadway on a narrow, winding section before falling into the ravine. The exact cause of the crash remains under investigation.

Seven seriously injured

Emergency officials said seven people sustained serious injuries, 18 suffered moderate injuries and 58 were treated for minor injuries, bringing the total number of injured to 83. Authorities said there were no immediate reports of fatalities.

Several of the seriously injured were transferred to hospitals in Barcelona and Girona, while other passengers received treatment at the scene or nearby medical facilities.

Large-scale rescue operation launched

A major emergency response was deployed to the crash site, including 23 ambulances, two medical helicopters, three joint teams of firefighters and medical personnel, specialist mountain rescue units and psychological support teams. Rescue crews also searched the surrounding area to determine whether anyone else had been trapped or thrown from the vehicle.

Catalonia's Health Minister Olga Pane said emergency teams continued to assess the area while investigators worked to establish the circumstances that caused the bus to leave the road.

Spanish authorities have launched an investigation into the accident.(ILKHA)