Three Vanuatu locals were killed and 12 tourists injured, reportedly all Australian and many of them seriously, when two buses collided in the Pacific nation's capital Port Vila, officials said today.
The tourists were on a stopover during a P&O cruise from Brisbane to Noumea in New Caledonia when their bus slammed into a local bus late yesterday.
The Vanuatu Daily Post said on Twitter that three locals died in the accident while P&O said 12 tourists were hurt.
Air ambulances were flying from Brisbane and Noumea to Port Vila to evacuate the badly injured.
"It can now be confirmed that 10 of the Pacific Dawn guests sustained significant injuries," P&O said on its Facebook page.
"We have been arranging for air ambulances from Australia and New Caledonia to airlift these passengers to Brisbane or Noumea for specialist medical treatment.
"Urgent inquiries are being made to ensure the local people are also receiving the best possible medical care."
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation said all the tourists were Australian, with many suffering head injuries, open wounds and bone fractures, adding that three were children.
Tourism is hugely important to the Vanuatu economy and Public Utilities Minister Jotham Napat vowed a full investigation would be carried out into the crash.
"The Vanuatu government is committed to ensuring safety on our roads," he said in a statement.
"Tourism is one of our most important industries and it is a priority of our government to ensure our visitors enjoy all Vanuatu has to offer.
