LAST UPDATE | 18 Apr 2019

THE DEATH TOLL from the bus crash on the Portugese island of Madeira has risen to 29 following the death of a woman from her injuries in hospital.

Last night, local mayor Filipe Sousa told reporters that up to 28 people had been killed in the accident, which took place in Canico, in the municipality of Santa Cruz, Madeira. 

Around 50 people are believed to have been on board the bus at the time, which is understood to have been carrying a group of German tourists.

The accident took place at 6:30 pm and left a further 27 people injured. 

Images from the scene showed the wreckage of the bus which appears to have come off the road and rolled over. 

Portuguese president Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa confirmed that all of the victims were German and offered his condolences to those affected by the tragedy.

“I express the sorrow and solidarity of all the Portuguese people in this tragic moment, and especially for the families of the victims who I have been told were all German,” he told Portuguese television.

De Sousa was also expected to travel to Madeira overnight.

With reporting from Conor McCrave and - © AFP 2019