Castellon (Spain), Aug 18 (IANS) At least eight people have been killed and 45 injured when a bus they were travelling in crashed on a highway near the tourist resort of Oropesa del Mar, some 20 km from this eastern Spanish city, EFE reported. The accident occurred Sunday when the driver lost control after one of the tyres of the vehicle deflated, police said.

Among the dead were five women and a boy, the Emergency Information and Coordination Centre in Castellon said, adding that the toll could rise as at least six of the injured were “in very critical condition”.

Two helicopters were dispatched to the crash site to transport the victims, as were Red Cross personnel and emergency officials to help coordinate rescue and recovery efforts with local authorities.

The highway had been closed to traffic heading to Valencia till rescue operations were completed.