3 Dead After Double-Decker Bus Slams into City Bus Stop

A peaceful Friday afternoon in Stockholm turned into a scene of chaos and horror when a double-decker bus barreled into a crowded bus stop in the city’s upscale Östermalm district, killing three people and leaving three others critically injured, according to Swedish authorities.

The crash occurred around 3:23 p.m. on Valhallavägen, a busy boulevard near the Royal Institute of Technology. Witnesses said they heard a deafening crash followed by screams as the massive city bus mounted the curb and slammed into the glass shelter.

“I just saw people running and crying — there was glass everywhere,” said Elin Andersson, a local resident who was walking her dog nearby. “It was terrifying. I thought it was a terrorist attack.”

Photos from the scene show the front of the double-decker completely crumpled, with emergency crews surrounding the mangled vehicle as dusk fell over the city.

Police confirmed they are investigating the crash as a case of involuntary manslaughter and have detained the driver, who was not identified. He is expected to be questioned about what led to the deadly collision.

Swedish news agency TT reported that the bus was not carrying passengers at the time and was not in service. Investigators are examining whether a mechanical failure, human error, or a medical emergency may have caused the driver to lose control.

Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson called the incident “tragic and deeply saddening,” posting on X (formerly Twitter):

“I have received the tragic news that several people have been killed and injured at a bus stop … people who were perhaps on their way home to family, friends, or a quiet evening at home.”

He added, “We do not yet know the cause of this, but right now my thoughts are primarily with those who have been affected and their families.”

By evening, police cordoned off the entire block as investigators worked under floodlights, documenting tire marks and debris strewn across the pavement. Stockholm’s public transportation authority said it was cooperating fully with the investigation and offering counseling to employees who witnessed the aftermath.

Locals have laid flowers at the site, and Swedish media outlets have compared the tragedy to previous traffic disasters that shocked the country — including a 2013 bus explosion near central Stockholm that injured dozens.

“This is a city known for safety,” said Stockholm resident Lars Nilsson. “When something like this happens, it shakes our faith in that completely.”

Authorities said more details about the victims and the driver’s condition are expected to be released in the coming days.

Source: Associated Press, TT News Agency, and local reports.