Three people died and four others sustained serious injuries after a bus veered off highway and plunged partially into a lake in northern Norway, local authorities said on Thursday.

"The bus is partially underwater. So far, three fatalities have been confirmed, and four people are seriously injured," said Bent Are Eilertsen, chief of staff at the Nordland Police District. "Emergency services have evacuated everyone from the bus."

The accident occurred near Raftsundet, in Lofoten archipelago, northern Norway's famous tourist destination. Emergency responders faced challenging conditions at the site, including adverse weather that hampered helicopter operations.