The group of 27 Scouts and 5 Scout leaders were returning to Gijón after spending the weekend in La Vecilla (León) when the coach they were traveling in collided with roadside barriers and tipped over on its side along the A-66 freeway in Asturias.

A further six of those injured in the accident are still in a serious condition in hospital and a 7-year old girl remains critical this morning.

The cause of that accident remains unclear as the authorities confirmed that the bus was traveling at the correct speed limit and the driver tested negative for alcohol.

Easter is a notoriously bad time for driving, where road tolls all over the world indicate a startling number of lives lost. It's a time where the roads are busier than normal, with people taking short breaks and vulnerable road users taking to the roads in greater numbers- the risks are greatly increased.

On behalf of the World Organization of the Scout Movement we want to express our condolences and affection to all of those in Spain who have been affected by this tragedy and we join in praying that God will grant our Scouts eternal peace.