• 53 individuals were being treated by medical teams at three hospitals.
• The collision happened on the Highway 97C Okanagan.
• Code Orange responses are initiated.

According to authorities, the collision happened on the Highway 97C Okanagan Connector between Merritt and Kelowna.

After a bus accident on a highway in British Columbia, dozens of people were rushed to the hospital late on Christmas Eve, according to Canadian officials.

53 individuals were being treated by medical teams at three hospitals in the communities of Kelowna, Penticton, and Merritt, Interior Health announced late Saturday on Twitter.

The Interior Health Authority of British Columbia said on its Twitter account that it had started a “Code Orange” response to the accident even though their conditions were not immediately known.

Following catastrophes or large casualty incidents, Code Orange responses are initiated.

The authority tweeted, “We will make every effort to link family with patients as soon as possible.”

In a written statement, Premier David Eby of British Columbia and three cabinet members expressed their “horror and sadness” over the tragedy, which occurred on the Highway 97C Okanagan Connector between Merritt and Kelowna.

The statement read, “Our sympathies are with those impacted by the crash, their families, and the first responders and healthcare professionals giving their all to treat people and keep them safe.”

It was unclear right away what caused the crash or any other details.

The accident caused a section of Highway 97C to be closed in both directions.

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