Twelve people lost their lives and numerous others were injured when a Polish tourist bus veered off Hungary’s M3 motorway early Sunday morning.
The accident occurred around 1:00 a.m. local time as the bus, traveling between Budapest and Nyíregyháza, left the road and overturned into a ditch. Authorities suspect the driver fell asleep while driving and have taken him into custody.
Out of the 57 passengers and two drivers aboard, 35 people have been rescued by firefighters. Emergency crews worked to free those trapped under the bus by lifting its rear axle before cranes arrived to hoist the entire vehicle.
According to Hungary’s ambulance service, one victim sustained life-threatening injuries, nine suffered serious wounds, and 37 had minor injuries.
Prime Minister Péter Magyar extended his condolences to the families of the deceased and wished a swift recovery to those injured.
