Polish bus overturns in Hungary, 12 killed

WEB DESK: A dozen people were killed and at least 10 others injured after a Polish-registered bus carrying tourists overturned on a motorway in eastern Hungary early Sunday, according to Hungarian authorities.

The accident occurred near the town of Mezokeresztes when the bus, travelling towards Nyiregyhaza on the M3 motorway, veered off the road, entered a ditch and overturned.

Police said preliminary information indicated that the driver may have fallen asleep.

Hungary’s state news agency MTI reported that there were 57 passengers and two drivers aboard the bus.

Images from the crash site showed a badly damaged red bus lying on its side in a ditch, with its windows smashed and luggage and other belongings scattered around the area.

Emergency services, including firefighters and medical teams, rushed to the scene following the crash. The injured were taken to hospitals for treatment.

Police said 12 people had died in the accident and that the bus driver was being taken into custody as part of the investigation.

Polish President Karol Nawrocki expressed sorrow over the deaths, saying he had received the news of the accident with deep sadness and offering condolences over the loss of Polish citizens.

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Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski also confirmed that the crash involved a bus carrying Polish tourists.

“The consular service is operational. We are in contact with the Hungarian authorities,” Sikorski said, adding that Poland’s Foreign Ministry would provide verified information.

Hungarian authorities are continuing their investigation into the circumstances of the crash, including the possibility that driver fatigue contributed to the accident.