A horrific accident on Hungary’s M3 motorway has claimed the lives of at least 12 individuals after a tourist bus veered off the road and crashed into a ditch. The tragic incident occurred around 1 AM local time, approximately 90 miles east of Budapest, near the town of Mezokeresztes. This particular bus was transporting dozens of Polish holidaymakers, and in addition to the fatalities, ten people have been hospitalized with injuries.
Initial investigations suggest that the driver may have fallen asleep at the wheel, leading to the devastating crash. The bus, carrying a total of 57 passengers and its driver, was en route to Nyiregyhaza when it tipped over. Visual evidence from the scene depicts a severely damaged vehicle lying on its side in the ditch, surrounded by scattered suitcases, highlighting the severity of the impact.
Polish President Karol Nawrocki expressed profound sorrow regarding the accident, acknowledging the loss of many compatriots. Poland’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Radoslaw Sikorski, confirmed the “tragic bus accident involving Polish tourists in Hungary” and assured the public that the consular service is actively engaged and in contact with Hungarian authorities. A hotline has been established by the embassy to assist concerned relatives seeking information.
This incident marks one of Hungary’s most severe road tragedies in recent memory. The country has a concerning record regarding road safety, ranking seventh among 27 EU nations for the highest number of road fatalities per million inhabitants. While bus and coach accidents resulting in fatalities are statistically less common compared to car accidents—17 bus passengers died in collisions in 2021 compared to 267 car occupants, according to the latest available European Commission figures—this crash underscores the devastating potential of such incidents. A previous tragic event in 2017 involved a coach carrying Hungarian high school students that crashed and caught fire in Verona, Italy, resulting in 16 deaths and numerous life-threatening injuries.
