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Polish Pilgrimage Bus Overturns on Hungary Motorway, Killing 12

Hungarian police say preliminary findings point to driver fatigue with the driver detained and a criminal probe under way.

Overview

  • The coach left the M3 motorway near Mezőkeresztes and overturned at about 1 a.m. on Sunday, killing 12 people and seriously injuring at least 10 others.
  • There were 57 passengers and two drivers on board and Polish officials say all of those on the bus were Polish citizens returning from a pilgrimage in Bosnia-Herzegovina.
  • Rescuers had to free people trapped under the overturned vehicle, used cranes to lift the bus, and took the injured to hospitals in several nearby cities.
  • Hungarian police have detained the driver after saying preliminary information suggests he likely fell asleep at the wheel and Polish consular teams are coordinating support and transport for survivors.
  • The crash, one of Hungary’s deadliest recent road accidents, could prompt reviews of long-distance coach safety and cross-border transport oversight for pilgrimage routes.