August 16, 2026, Budapest/Mezokovesd. On the night of Monday, August 16, a major road catastrophe involving a tourist bus occurred in Hungary. The vehicle, carrying a group of Polish citizens, veered off the road into a ditch and overturned. According to the latest data confirmed by Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Madjar, 12 people died as a result of the incident, and dozens of passengers sustained injuries of varying severity.
Chronology and circumstances of the accident
According to official reports, the tragedy occurred around 01:00 AM near the town of Mezokovesd, located in eastern Hungary. The bus, traveling along the highway, suddenly lost control, left the roadway, and flipped over. Rescue operations involving Hungarian firefighters and medical teams were immediately deployed at the scene. The situation was complicated by the fact that the vehicle ended up in a difficult position, hindering the rapid evacuation of victims from the cabin.
Casualties and injured: data from Polish authorities
Spokesperson for the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Maciej Vevir, confirmed that all those killed in the accident are Polish citizens. As of the morning of August 16, seven injured persons were transported to nearby hospitals in critical condition. Doctors are fighting for their lives. The remaining approximately 40 passengers sustained minor injuries and were hospitalized for further observation. Polish authorities have already begun the procedure of notifying the relatives of the deceased and the injured.
Investigation theory: driver fell asleep at the wheel
According to preliminary data from the Hungarian police, the main cause of the accident was driver fatigue. Experts believe that the driver of the vehicle fell asleep at the wheel, leading to a loss of control over the vehicle. The driver is currently in custody. Investigative bodies are conducting a detailed investigation into the circumstances preceding the accident, including the driver's work schedule and the technical condition of the bus.
Context of the tragedy: pilgrimage to Medjugorje
The publication Polsat News reports that the bus passengers were pilgrims heading to the town of Medjugorje in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This place is one of the largest Catholic pilgrimage centers in the world, known for reports of apparitions of the Virgin Mary. Every year, millions of believers from all over Europe flock there. The group involved in the accident was part of one of such mass excursions, which gives the tragedy additional resonance within the Catholic community.
