At least 10 people have died and 25 are in hospital after a wedding bus crashed in an Australian wine region.
The passengers were returning from a wedding at a winery on Sunday night when their coach overturned on the Wine County Drive near Greta in the Hunter Valley, New South Wales.
Police said they are investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash.
The bus driver, a 58-year-old man, was arrested.
NSW Police Acting Assistant Commissioner Tracy Chapman said visitors were traveling to Singleton “probably for their accommodation”. The crash happened around 23:30 local time.
The death toll could rise, with 25 passengers taken to hospital – two of whom were airlifted from the crash, Ms Chapman said. He added that the bus was still on its side and people could be trapped underneath.
Ms Chapman said there was “enough information” for police to charge the coach driver.
“He’s under arrest. He was the driver of a motorcycle that crashed in which there were fatal injuries and there are pending charges,” he said.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said it was “very cruel, sad and unfair” for a “happy day in a beautiful place like that to end in such a terrible loss in life”.
“People hire buses for weddings to keep their guests safe, and that adds to the unimaginable nature of this tragedy,” he told a press conference in Canberra.
Mr Albanese said some of the injured passengers were in John Hunter Hospital, but many were flown to Sydney.
NSW Premier Chris Minns said the loss of so many lives was “nothing short of tragic”, adding: “For this tragic crash to have happened on a day that should have been filled with love and happiness only increases sorrow”.
“For a day of happiness to end with such a devastating loss is really cruel. Our thoughts are also with the injured,” he said.
The Hunter Valley is known for its vineyards and native bushland, making it a popular destination for wine tourists and group outings.
One wedding guest said the day was a “fairy tale” until news of the accident broke.
“We all started to panic,” he told 7 News.
According to the police, they are still working to identify the victims and contact their relatives.
“Family and friends of someone who may have been on the bus are urged to contact Cessnock Police Station,” they said in a statement.
