Twelve dead in Hungarian motorway crash involving Polish pilgrims

At least 12 people have died and 47 others were injured, including 10 in serious condition, following a bus crash on the M3 motorway in eastern Hungary. The incident occurred on Sunday near Mezokeresztes, approximately 140 kilometres east of Budapest, according to police in the district capital of Miskolc.

Hungarian authorities have arrested the driver of the coach, stating that they believe he fell asleep at the wheel during the overnight journey. The bus was carrying 59 people, including two drivers, and was returning from Bosnia-Herzegovana. Poland’s PAP news agency reported that the passengers were pilgrims from the Podkarpackie province in the far southeast of Poland.

Emergency response efforts involved the deployment of 14 ambulances to the scene. Hungary’s National Directorate for Disaster Management confirmed that several passengers were trapped under the vehicle when it overturned into a ditch. Rescue operations are ongoing as officials work to extract those still inside the wreckage.

The political fallout from the disaster has prompted immediate responses from both nations. Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar voiced his condolences to the families of the victims in a message on Facebook, while also thanking emergency and rescue services for their efforts.

Polish President Karol Nawrocki described himself as deeply shaken by the event. In a statement on X, he said: “In the face of this unimaginable tragedy, which affects us all, my thoughts and prayers go out to the families and loved ones of the victims.”

As of Sunday, the exact number of fatalities may rise as rescue operations continue and more victims are identified. Police have not yet confirmed the precise medical or physiological reasons for the driver’s fatigue, focusing instead on the arrest and the unfolding investigation.