Twelve Killed as Polish Bus Overturns on Hungarian Motorway
Thestandard · 2 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago1 MIN
Summary
A Polish tourist bus overturned on the M3 motorway in eastern Hungary on Sunday morning, resulting in 12 deaths and at least 10 injuries. The vehicle, carrying 57 passengers and two drivers, crashed near the town of Mezokeresztes while traveling toward Nyiregyhaza. Police preliminary findings suggest driver fatigue played a role in the accident. Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar and Polish President Karol Nawrocki both responded to the tragedy.
Key Points
- The accident occurred near Mezokeresztes on the M3 motorway in eastern Hungary around dawn on Sunday .
- Police stated the bus veered off a straight stretch of road into a ditch and overturned; the driver likely fell asleep .
- The vehicle was carrying 57 passengers and two drivers from Poland; 12 people were killed and at least 10 injured .
- Hungarian authorities have taken the bus driver into custody; injured victims were transported to hospital .
- Polish President Nawrocki expressed sorrow over the deaths of compatriots abroad; Foreign Minister Sikorski confirmed consular services are operational .
Why It Matters
This tragic accident highlights the ongoing risks of driver fatigue on long-distance motorway journeys, prompting renewed calls for stricter safety regulations for international bus transport across Europe .
This tragic accident highlights the ongoing risks of driver fatigue on long-distance motorway journeys, prompting renewed calls for stricter safety regulations for international bus transport across Europe .