BUDAPEST, Hungary — A Polish-registered bus carrying tourists overturned on a motorway in eastern Hungary early Sunday, killing 12 people and injuring at least 10 others, Hungarian authorities said. The bus veered off the M3 motorway near Mezokeresztes while travelling towards Nyiregyhaza before entering a ditch and overturning.
- Twelve people were killed in the crash involving a Polish tourist bus in eastern Hungary.
- At least 10 injured passengers were taken to hospital for treatment.
- The bus was carrying 57 passengers and two drivers, according to Hungarian state news agency MTI.
- Police said the driver was being taken into custody and that preliminary information suggested he may have fallen asleep.
Polish Bus Crash Occurred Near Mezokeresztes
The accident happened during the early hours of Sunday near the town of Mezokeresztes. Hungarian police said the bus was travelling along the M3 motorway towards Nyiregyhaza when it left the roadway on a straight section and overturned in a ditch.
Emergency crews responded to the scene as the scale of the accident became clear. Police confirmed that several people had died, while those injured were transported to hospitals for medical treatment.
Images released from the scene showed the red bus lying on its side in a ditch beside the motorway. Several windows appeared to have been smashed, while personal belongings and suitcases were scattered around the crash site.
Bus Was Carrying 57 Passengers and Two Drivers
Hungarian state news agency MTI reported that 57 passengers and two drivers were travelling on the bus. The vehicle was registered in Poland and was carrying tourists when it crashed.
The number of fatalities was confirmed at 12, while at least 10 people were reported injured. Authorities did not provide further details in the supplied material about the identities or nationalities of those killed and injured beyond the information that the bus was carrying Polish tourists.
Police Investigate Possible Driver Fatigue
Hungarian police said preliminary information indicated that the driver may have fallen asleep before the bus left the motorway. Investigators were examining the circumstances surrounding the crash, and police said they were taking the bus driver into custody.
The vehicle’s departure from the road and subsequent overturning occurred on what police described as a straight stretch of the M3 motorway. Further details about the investigation were not immediately provided in the supplied report.
Polish Leaders Express Condolences
The deadly crash prompted a response from Poland’s political leadership. Polish President Karol Nawrocki expressed sorrow over the deaths and described the incident as tragic news involving Polish citizens.
Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski also confirmed that a bus carrying Polish tourists had been involved in the accident. He said Poland’s consular service was operating and that officials were in contact with Hungarian authorities.
“The consular service is operational. We are in contact with the Hungarian authorities. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will provide verified information.”
The Polish Foreign Ministry’s involvement comes as authorities in both countries coordinate following the crash and work to establish verified information about those affected.
Emergency Response Continues
Firefighters and emergency workers attended the crash site near Mezokeresztes, where the overturned bus remained in the roadside ditch. The injured passengers were taken to hospitals, while police continued their investigation.
The circumstances surrounding the accident, including the driver’s condition and the precise sequence of events before the bus left the motorway, remain subject to the ongoing investigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did the Polish bus crash in Hungary?
The bus crashed near Mezokeresztes in eastern Hungary after veering off the M3 motorway while travelling towards Nyiregyhaza.
How many people were on the bus?
Hungarian state news agency MTI reported that the bus was carrying 57 passengers and two drivers when the accident occurred.
Investigation Underway After Deadly Crash
Hungarian police are investigating the circumstances of the crash, while Polish officials remain in contact with authorities in Hungary. The immediate response has focused on treating the injured and establishing verified information about those involved.
Police said preliminary information pointed to possible driver fatigue, but the investigation will determine the circumstances that led the bus to leave the motorway and overturn.
