A tragic incident occurred in Hungary early Sunday when a passenger bus veered off the highway, flipped over in a ditch, resulting in the deaths of 12 individuals and injuries to others. The bus, transporting a group of Polish tourists, overturned on the M3 motorway in the vicinity of Mezokeresztes, approximately 140 kilometers east of Budapest, around 1 a.m.

Authorities mentioned that the bus driver, who is now in custody, likely fell asleep at the wheel. According to Hungary’s National Directorate for Disaster Management, the bus was carrying 57 passengers and two drivers, with several passengers becoming trapped beneath the vehicle after the overturning.

All individuals on board the bus were Polish citizens, as confirmed by Polish Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maciej Wewiór in a statement to the news agency PAP. Reports indicated that the passengers were returning from a pilgrimage in Bosnia-Herzegovina, as stated by the regional government in Rzeszow, Poland.

Prime Minister Péter Magyar of Hungary posted on Facebook, revealing that at least 10 individuals sustained severe injuries in the accident. He extended his sympathies to the victims’ families and commended the swift response of the rescue teams. Polish President Karol Nawrocki also expressed profound sadness over the tragedy, offering prayers and sympathy to the affected families and friends.