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Twelve killed after Polish bus overturns on motorway in Hungary

"My sincere condolences to the families of the victims. I am grateful to those who took part in the rescue efforts," said Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar.

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An aerial photo taken by drone shows the emergency services as they attend the scene after a passenger bus went off the road and overturned in a ditch along a highway between Mezokeresztes and Mezonagymihaly in Hungary.
An aerial photo taken by drone shows the emergency services as they attend the scene after a passenger bus went off the road and overturned in a ditch along a highway between Mezokeresztes and Mezonagymihaly in Hungary. Picture: Alamy

By Poppy Jacobs

At least a dozen people have been killed and a further 10 injured after a Polish bus overturned at night on a motorway in eastern Hungary, according to Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar.

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In a post on Facebook, Mr Magyar wrote: "My sincere condolences to the families of the victims. I am grateful to those who took part in the rescue efforts.

"I wish the injured a speedy recovery."

Police understand that the ​bus ran into a ditch and ⁠tipped over early on Sunday near ​the town of Mezokeresztes in eastern Hungary.

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The driver likely fell asleep and has since been taken into custody, police said.
The driver likely fell asleep and has since been taken into custody, police said. Picture: Alamy

The bus was supposedly heading towards the city of Nyiregyhaza on the M3 motorway ​when the accident happened.

Regional news outlets are reporting there were 57 passengers and two drivers on the bus at the time.

Police have added that "preliminary information" suggests the driver fell asleep at the wheel, and he has since been taken into custody.

The vehicle left the road, went into a ditch and overturned around 1am local time on Sunday (midnight UK time).
The vehicle left the road, went into a ditch and overturned around 1am local time on Sunday (midnight UK time). Picture: Alamy

The Polish foreign minister Radosław Sikorski wrote on X that a "tragic bus accident involving Polish tourists" had taken place, and his ministry was in contact with Hungarian authorities.

It is understood that all those who sustained injuries have been transported to hospital.