A tragic bus crash in Stockholm has claimed several lives and left others seriously injured after a double-decker city bus slammed into a crowded bus stop on Valhallavägen in the Östermalm district.

The incident occurred at approximately 3.23pm local time on Friday November 14, near the KTH Royal Institute of Technology during afternoon rush hour.

Driver arrested, manslaughter probe launched

Swedish police confirmed the bus driver has been arrested and is being held for questioning. Spokesperson Nadya Norton stated a manslaughter investigation has been opened as standard procedure. Authorities expressed that no evidence suggests a deliberate attack, with early reports from Expressen indicating the driver may have suffered a medical episode, though this information remains unconfirmed. The bus was not in service and carried no passengers, meaning all victims were pedestrians waiting at the shelter.

Casualties: At least 3 dead, multiple injured

While police have not released official casualty figures, Expressen reports at least three fatalities. Stockholm rescue services confirmed six total casualties, including two with serious injuries transported to Karolinska University Hospital. Rescue crews worked urgently to free individuals trapped beneath the bus, with images showing a flattened shelter and emergency teams on site.

Eyewitness horror: “It mowed down the entire queue”

A woman told Expressen: “The bus mowed down an entire bus stop queue. People were screaming, trying to help the injured—dead bodies lay on the ground. There must have been more under the bus.”

Another witness told SVT: “Several people ran into my shop crying after the bus hit a pole in front of the shelter.” A nurse described the scene as “unreal—like dolls amid the chaos.”

Emergency response and traffic chaos

A massive emergency operation involving ambulances, fire crews, and police cordoned off the area between the bus stop and a nearby metro station. Valhallavägen remained blocked for hours, severely disrupting rush-hour traffic. Stockholm’s public transport agency SL confirmed the incident but provided no updates on service impacts.

Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson posted on X: “I have received the tragic news that several people have died… perhaps on their way home to family, friends, or a quiet evening at home. My thoughts are with the victims and their loved ones.”

Deputy Prime Minister Ebba Busch wrote on X: “Devastated by the terrible news that people have lost their lives.”

The investigation continues into potential causes—including mechanical failure, driver error, or health issues. More details are expected as authorities release updates.

FUENGIROLA is set to shine even brighter thanks to a major investment in street cleaning. The town hall has announced a €375,000 upgrade to its cleaning resources, aimed at keeping public spaces spotless for residents and visitors.

Leading the improvements is a new street sweeper, supported by two light vans and 30 electric hand-carts. Each cart is equipped with separate compartments for different types of waste, making it easier for staff to work efficiently while supporting the town’s eco-friendly initiatives. Costing around €2,400 each, the carts are designed to reduce physical strain on workers while boosting productivity.

Mayor Ana Mula emphasised the importance of clean streets for the community. “Clean streets are key not just for tourists, but for everyone who calls Fuengirola home,” she said, highlighting the council’s ongoing commitment to maintaining a welcoming environment.

New recycling points in busy areas

The upgrades extend beyond new equipment. With €67,956 in support from the Malaga Council, the council has installed 15 new waste‑container “islands” for paper and cardboard in high-traffic areas, including Av. de las Salinas, Plaza González Anaya and Av. Jesús Cautivo. These new recycling points aim to make it easier for residents and visitors to dispose of waste responsibly.

The initiative is part of a wider strategy to improve the town’s cleanliness and environmental sustainability. By combining modern equipment with better waste‑collection infrastructure, Fuengirola is making daily life tidier and more pleasant for everyone.

Council officials say the upgrades will allow cleaning teams to cover more ground efficiently, ensuring streets remain bright and attractive throughout the year. The measures also demonstrate the town’s focus on supporting staff with ergonomic and environmentally friendly tools, reflecting a balance of practical needs and green priorities.

With these enhancements in place, Fuengirola is set to reinforce its reputation as a clean, welcoming coastal town. Residents and visitors can expect safer, more attractive streets and a stronger sense of civic pride.

If you’ve ever found yourself frantically tapping through a car’s touchscreen just to turn on the wipers, here’s some good news: those days may soon be over. From January 2026, new Euro NCAP safety rules will push carmakers to ditch touchscreen-only controls and bring back physical buttons and levers for essential functions.

The decision comes after growing concern that the obsession with giant screens inside cars has gone too far. What started as a symbol of modernity has now become a safety risk – one that distracts drivers and takes their eyes off the road.

Touchscreens are out – safety is back in

For years, carmakers have competed to design minimalist interiors filled with massive touch displays. But Euro NCAP – the European car safety authority – says it’s time to hit the brakes on that trend.

From 2026, any carmaker hoping to earn top marks in the prestigious Euro NCAP safety ratings will have to restore physical controls for basic functions such as the horn, indicators, hazard lights, windscreen wipers, and emergency call system.

The goal is simple: cut distractions. “Digging through menus just to activate your wipers isn’t progress – it’s dangerous,” said a Euro NCAP spokesperson.

And the organisation isn’t alone in thinking so. Drivers across Europe have long complained that touchscreen-only systems are clumsy to use while driving, forcing them to look away from traffic just to perform basic actions.

Not the end of touchscreens, but a return to balance

Euro NCAP isn’t banning technology altogether. The new standards simply demand that critical driving functions also have physical versions – meaning you’ll still have digital options, but not at the cost of convenience or safety.

The updated rules also call for vital driving information like speed, headlights, or active safety alerts to remain clearly visible and within the driver’s direct line of sight – a clear pushback against the growing trend of placing every bit of information on a single central display.

The new protocol goes even further in encouraging smarter, safer tech. Driver monitoring systems, which track attention, fatigue or even signs of intoxication, will now become a major part of safety scoring — jumping from just two points to a massive 25 points in 2026.

These systems are designed to spot when a driver is distracted, drowsy, or impaired – and alert them before an accident happens. In time, they could even detect alcohol or drug use through patterns of eye movement or reaction time.

Why carmakers will have to play along

Technically, Euro NCAP is voluntary, and manufacturers aren’t legally required to follow its standards to sell cars in Europe. But there’s a catch – those five shiny Euro NCAP stars have become a powerful selling point.

Buyers trust them. Automakers brag about them. And losing them could be bad for business. So, while brands could ignore the rules, few are expected to take that risk.

The updated testing system will also include tougher evaluations for active safety features – like automatic braking and lane-keeping – and introduce new scenarios involving motorcycles and junctions.

In short, Euro NCAP isn’t anti-technology – it’s anti-distraction. The 2026 changes aim to strike a balance between innovation and safety, reminding carmakers that just because something looks futuristic doesn’t mean it’s safer.

So, the next time you reach for a physical button instead of swiping a touchscreen while driving, you might just have Euro NCAP to thank for bringing common sense back to the dashboard.

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