Polish bus crash in Hungary leaves 12 dead as police suspect driver dozed off

A tragic overnight coach accident on an eastern Hungarian motorway has left 12 people dead and dozens injured, with local authorities stating that the driver likely fell asleep at the wheel. The disaster unfolded on Sunday, according to Yahoo News reporting detailing the emergency response on the M3 motorway.

The tourist bus, bearing Polish license plates, was travelling along the eastbound lanes toward Nyíregyháza when it veered off a straight stretch of the road near the town of Mezőkeresztes. According to Express reporting, the vehicle plunged into a ditch and flipped onto its side at approximately 1am local time, roughly 87 miles east of the Hungarian capital, Budapest. Authorities in the district capital Miskolc confirmed that the section of the motorway between Mezőkeresztes and Emőd remained closed on Sunday morning in the direction of Miskolc.

Media additions

State news agency MTI and other outlets provided varying figures regarding the exact occupancy of the heavy vehicle. India Today noted that state news agency MTI reported 57 passengers and two drivers were on board, while other accounts citing Hungarian Interior Minister Gábor Pósfai placed the total number of occupants at 47. Officials from the Podkarpackie province in Poland stated that the vehicle was carrying a group of pilgrims returning from Bosnia-Herzegovina.

The crash triggered a massive emergency response involving police officers, firefighters, and paramedics. Fourteen ambulances rushed to the scene as rescue workers battled to save trapped passengers. Mirror reporting highlighted that emergency services initially attempted to lift the rear axle of the 24-tonne bus before cranes were brought in to move the wreckage and free individuals trapped underneath.

Hungary's ambulance and disaster management services reported that one person suffered life-threatening injuries, while 10 people sustained serious injuries—with some figures citing 10 or nine seriously injured depending on the initial medical updates. Additionally, 37 people sustained minor injuries. Hungarian disaster management officials confirmed that emergency responders successfully rescued 35 people from the coach before heavy lifting equipment arrived.

Police have taken the bus driver into custody. Preliminary findings from law enforcement indicate that the driver fell asleep during the overnight journey.

Leaders from both Hungary and Poland expressed immediate grief and solidarity following the disaster. Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar posted a message on Facebook stating, My sincere condolences go out to the families of the victims! He also praised the swift action of the emergency services. Polish President Karol Nawrocki shared his grief on X, writing, 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. Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski confirmed that the nation's consular service is operational and maintaining direct communication with Hungarian authorities.

Key Details of the M3 Motorway Crash

• Location: M3 motorway near Mezőkeresztes, eastern Hungary
• Time of Incident: Approximately 1:00 am local time on Sunday
• Casualties: 12 dead, multiple seriously injured, and 37 with minor injuries
• Suspected Cause: Police suspect the driver dozed off at the wheel
• Official Action: The driver has been taken into custody while consular services coordinate repatriation efforts

As families wait for formal identification and repatriation procedures, diplomatic channels between Warsaw and Budapest remain open to support the survivors and investigate the exact mechanical and human factors behind the rollover.