Driver arrested after Hungary bus crash kills 12 Polish tourists

A bus carrying Polish tourists returning from a pilgrimage in Bosnia-Herzegovina crashed on a highway in Hungary early Sunday, killing 12 people and injuring at least 10 others. The accident occurred on the M3 motorway near the town of Mezokeresztes, approximately 140 kilometers east of Budapest, at around 1 a.m. local time. The bus, which was traveling eastbound, went off the road and overturned into a ditch. Police stated that it is likely the driver fell asleep, and he has been taken into custody. Hungary's National Directorate for Disaster Management reported that 57 passengers and two drivers were on board, with several passengers trapped under the vehicle. All passengers were Polish citizens, according to Polish Foreign Ministry spokesman Maciej Wewior. The group originated from Poland's southeastern Podkarpackie region and was returning from a religious pilgrimage. The regional government in Rzeszow confirmed the details on Facebook. The crash highlights the dangers of long-distance bus travel, particularly after overnight journeys, and has prompted condolences from Polish and Hungarian officials.