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 causing injuries to others. The bus, which was traveling on the eastbound lanes near Mezokeresztes, overturned on the M3 motorway, approximately 140 kilometers east of Budapest, around 1 a.m.
According to authorities, the bus driver is believed to have fallen asleep, leading to the accident. The Hungarian National Directorate for Disaster Management reported that there were 57 passengers and two drivers on board, with several passengers trapped under the vehicle following the overturning. The Polish Foreign Ministry confirmed that all individuals on the bus held Polish citizenship.
The passengers were returning from a pilgrimage in Bosnia-Herzegovina, as stated by the regional government in Rzeszow, Poland. Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar stated on Facebook that at least 10 individuals sustained serious injuries in the incident. He extended condolences to the victims’ families and expressed gratitude to the rescue personnel who responded to the scene.
In response to the tragic event, Polish President Karol Nawrocki expressed profound sadness, offering prayers and sympathy to the families and loved ones of the victims. The authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the bus crash.