A horrific bus crash on Hungary's M3 motorway has killed 12 Polish citizens, with authorities suspecting driver fatigue as the cause. The bus, carrying 57 passengers and two drivers, veered off the road early Sunday, resulting in multiple injuries.
Tragic Collision on M3 Motorway
A Polish tourist bus veered off the M3 motorway in eastern Hungary early Sunday, overturning into a ditch and killing 12 people and injuring at least 10 others, authorities confirmed.
Driver in Custody, Fatigue Suspected
Police said the driver, who has been taken into custody, is suspected of having fallen asleep at the wheel. The bus, carrying 57 passengers and two drivers, was traveling from Poland’s southeastern Podkarpackie region and returning from a pilgrimage in Bosnia-Herzegovina when the crash occurred near the town of Mezokeresztes at approximately 1:00 a.m. local time.
Rescue Efforts and Casualties
Emergency responders, including firefighters and medical teams, worked to extract trapped passengers using cranes to lift the 24-tonne bus from the ditch. Hungary’s ambulance service reported treating one person with life-threatening injuries, nine with serious injuries, and 37 with minor injuries.
Condolences from Leaders
Prime Minister Péter Magyar expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and thanked rescue workers for their response. Polish President Karol Nawrocki also offered his "deep sorrow" for the tragedy, stating he joined the families in prayer.
Passenger Details and Investigation
The bus’s route originated in Poland and was returning from a religious pilgrimage in Bosnia-Herzegovina, according to the Polish Foreign Ministry. Hungarian police confirmed all passengers were Polish citizens.
Investigators are reviewing preliminary evidence, including the driver’s condition and the bus’s mechanical status, to determine the exact cause of the crash. The driver’s custody status remains under review as authorities await further forensic analysis.
Road Closure and Cleanup
The M3 motorway, which connects Budapest to the northeastern city of Nyíregyháza, was temporarily closed following the incident while cleanup and investigation efforts continued.