A tragic incident occurred in Hungary early Sunday when a passenger bus carrying Polish tourists veered off the road and overturned in a ditch, resulting in the death of 12 individuals and injuries to several others. The accident took place on the eastbound lanes near Mezokeresztes, approximately 140 kilometers east of Budapest on the M3 motorway around 1 a.m.
According to authorities, the bus driver, who is suspected of falling asleep at the wheel, has been detained for questioning. The Hungary National Directorate for Disaster Management reported that the bus, transporting 57 passengers and two drivers, had multiple passengers trapped beneath it following the overturn.
All individuals aboard the bus were confirmed to be Polish citizens, as stated by Polish Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maciej Wewiór. The passengers were residents of the southeastern Podkarpackie region and were returning from a pilgrimage in Bosnia-Herzegovina, as announced by the regional government in Rzeszow, Poland.
Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar, in a statement on social media, mentioned that around 10 people sustained severe injuries in the accident and conveyed his condolences to the victims’ families. He also expressed gratitude towards the emergency responders who swiftly arrived at the scene.
Polish President Karol Nawrocki shared his profound sadness over the tragedy, extending prayers and sympathy to the families and friends of the victims.
