Tunnel road reopens after bus explosion

6.00pm

Tourists stranded in Milford Sound when a bus explosion closed the Homer tunnel were able to travel out of the area tonight after the road reopened.

The only route between Milford and Te Anau was closed for nearly 24 hours after the accident, and around 750 tourists had to stay an extra night.

Transit New Zealand spokesman Murray Clarke said rock had been removed from the tunnel and the road was reopened around 4pm after it was deemed safe.

The gutted Ritchies Coachlines bus was pulled from the 1200m tunnel just before midday.

The bus, carrying 32 Singaporean tourists, was heading back to Queenstown from Milford Sound about 2pm yesterday and was about 150m from the end of the tunnel when the driver noticed flames coming from the motor at the back.

The tourists and driver got off safely, but the bus later exploded and rolled back about 50m before bursting into flames.

Three passengers were treated for smoke inhalation.

- NZPA