Home Office steps in as First Essex bus declared lost at sea

The Home Office has been called in to assist after a bus was reported lost at sea this morning, following what was described as a “minor navigational error.”

The driver of the First Essex X30 service, which was on its regular route from Southend to Stansted Airport, reportedly steered the bus off course and into the North Sea. Passengers initially believed they were taking a diversion following Essex Highways’ traffic cone mishap, but soon realised the bus was heading further out into open water.

“It was about 20 minutes into the journey when I thought, hang on, this doesn’t look like the A13,” said one passenger via satellite phone. “At first, I thought we might be getting the scenic route along the coast, but then I looked out the window and saw nothing but waves. That’s when the panic set in.”

The charity First Aid for First Essex were alerted to the incident, with a spokesperson saying: “We’ve pulled buses out of ditches, rivers, and even a shopping centre once. But the North Sea? That’s a first.”

The bus, still afloat, has been drifting eastward and is now somewhere between the Thames Estuary and the coast of Belgium. Authorities have confirmed that the search is ongoing, though they are still uncertain whether the driver simply made an unfortunate mistake or if he’s found an innovative way to avoid the usual gridlocked roads.

“We are currently investigating all possibilities,” said a Home Office spokesperson. “We’re not ruling out the idea that the driver could’ve taken a wrong turn somewhere and decided to keep going. But until we’re able to get a closer look, this is being treated as a major incident.”

Local marine conservationists have raised alarms about the possibility of the bus becoming a hazard to maritime traffic.

“A bus in the North Sea could easily collide with passing vessels or disrupt local ecosystems,” warned a marine biologist from the University of Essex. “The introduction of such a large, unplanned object could have unforeseen consequences.”

Authorities are currently weighing the environmental impact of the floating bus, but with the vehicle still in motion, it’s unclear when it will come to rest.

“We’re doing everything we can to contain the situation,” said an unnamed source at the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. “However as of now, we’re unsure whether the bus will eventually turn around or continue on its journey toward the European mainland.”

As news of the missing bus spread, the search operation grew larger, with various agencies joining in to locate the rogue vehicle. The Royal Navy has been dispatched to assist, along with several local fishermen.

“I thought I’d just be fishing for, well, fish, but now I’m on the hunt for a bus,” said one local fisherman. “I’ve had some strange days on the water, but this takes the biscuit.”

A statement from First Essex confirms that the company is “working around the clock for the safe return of the bus,” though no official timeline has been provided for its retrieval. “We apologise for this minor operational issue and hope passengers have been able to reach their destination,” it continued.

The Home Office has stepped in to lead the operation, with officials emphasising that this isn't the first time a vehicle has made an unintended journey. "We’ve seen a few wild rides in our time, but a double-decker on a transcontinental voyage is certainly a new one," remarked a spokesperson. “Rest assured, we are committed to ensuring this bus gets back where it belongs.”

Meanwhile, social media has erupted with reactions. A Facebook group called “Where is the X30?” has attracted over 10,000 members in just a few hours, with users posting hourly updates, tracking its movements via maritime apps, and even suggesting rescue missions by drone. One group member commented, “I’ve been on that bus so many times, I feel like I should be on the search team. Who’s with me? I’ll bring snacks.”

The online frenzy was only further amplified by the introduction of a new meme trend, “The Bus That Could,” with photoshopped images of the X30 bus in various world-famous landmarks — floating past the Eiffel Tower, docking in the canals of Venice, and even appearing in outer space. Experts have warned, however, that the growing online activity could distract from the serious search efforts underway.

As the bus floats eastward, the European Union has expressed cautious optimism, with officials from Belgium closely monitoring the situation.

The Belgian Coast Guard issued a statement earlier today: “While we are prepared for a variety of maritime incidents, this is an unprecedented situation. The bus appears to be travelling steadily toward our waters, and we are working closely with our British counterparts to determine its final destination. We anticipate its arrival in Belgian waters in the next 12 to 24 hours, and we will be ready to assist, should the need arise.”

As the search continues, local authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant, with Essex Police saying: “If you spot a bus at sea, please do not attempt to board it. It is not part of the regular service.”