12 Killed, At Least 10 Injured as Polish Bus Overturns in Hungary

Twelve people have been killed and at least 10 others injured after a Polish-registered bus veered off a motorway and overturned in eastern Hungary early Sunday.

The crash happened near the town of Mezőkeresztes on the M3 motorway, as the bus was travelling towards Nyíregyháza, Hungarian authorities said. The incident was confirmed by Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar and the country’s state news agency, MTI.

According to police, the bus left a straight section of the motorway, ran into a ditch and overturned. Preliminary information indicated that the driver may have fallen asleep at the wheel, although investigators have yet to establish the definitive cause of the crash.

Police said the vehicle was carrying 57 passengers and two drivers when the accident occurred. Several injured passengers were taken to hospitals for treatment, while emergency teams worked at the crash site.

Authorities said the bus driver was being taken into custody as investigations continued. Police are expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the crash, including the driver’s condition and the events immediately before the vehicle left the motorway.

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

The crash is one of the latest deadly road accidents involving Polish travellers in Europe and has prompted renewed attention to road safety on long-distance coach journeys.

The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities may provide further details about the victims and the circumstances of the crash as relatives are notified and the scene is examined.

This is a developing story.