Twelve Killed, Ten Injured as Polish Tourist Bus Crashes in Hungary

By Benson Daniel

At least 12 people have been killed and 10 others seriously injured after a Polish registered tourist bus crashed on a motorway in eastern Hungary.

The accident occurred at about 1am on Sunday on the M3 motorway near Mezokeresztes, approximately 140 kilometres east of Budapest, as the bus was travelling towards Nyiregyhaza.

Police said the vehicle veered off a straight section of the motorway, entered a ditch and overturned. Preliminary investigations indicated that the driver may have fallen asleep at the wheel.

The bus was carrying 57 passengers and two drivers at the time of the crash. Emergency responders rushed to the scene, where the badly damaged vehicle was found lying on its side with shattered windows and passengers’ belongings scattered around the area.

At least 10 people sustained serious injuries and were taken to hospitals for treatment. The identities and nationalities of all those killed were not immediately released, although authorities confirmed that the passengers were Polish tourists.

Hungarian authorities have taken the bus driver into custody as investigations continue to establish the circumstances surrounding the crash.

The incident has prompted condolences from Polish officials, with President Karol Nawrocki expressing sorrow over the deaths and extending sympathies to the victims’ families.

Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski also said consular officials were in contact with Hungarian authorities and working to obtain verified information about the victims and the circumstances of the accident.

Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar expressed condolences to the families of those who died and thanked emergency workers involved in the rescue operation.

The crash has renewed concerns about road safety and the dangers associated with driver fatigue, particularly during long distance journeys.

Authorities are expected to continue examining the vehicle, road conditions and the driver’s circumstances as part of the investigation. The findings will help determine the precise cause of the accident and whether any further safety violations occurred.

The deadly crash comes as tourists and travellers continue to use Hungary’s major road networks during the summer holiday period, increasing traffic volumes on key routes connecting Budapest with other parts of the country.

Officials have urged road users and commercial transport operators to observe safety regulations and ensure that drivers are adequately rested before undertaking long journeys.

The investigation remains ongoing as Hungarian authorities work with Polish officials to identify the victims and provide assistance to those affected by the tragedy.