Fatal Tour Bus Collision in Western Turkiye Claims 11 Lives
A tragic accident on the Gebze-Orhangazi-Izmir highway results in 11 fatalities and 27 injuries, prompting police action.
11 people died in a tour bus crash in western Turkiye.
27 individuals sustained injuries, including the bus driver.
Authorities are investigating the incident and have detained the bus driver.
A devastating collision occurred on Sunday morning on the Gebze-Orhangazi-Izmir highway in western Turkiye, resulting in the deaths of 11 individuals and injuries to 27 others. The incident took place near toll booths in Akhisar, Manisa province, when a tour bus collided with a tow truck.
Emergency services were alerted shortly after 11 AM local time, and the injured were promptly transported to nearby hospitals for treatment. Among the injured was the bus driver, who has since been detained by police for questioning regarding the circumstances of the crash.
Images from the scene depict a harrowing sight, with blue body bags lined along the roadside next to an overturned bus that suffered significant damage. The tow truck involved in the accident was also overturned and appeared to be carrying wooden planks at the time of the collision.
Interior Minister Mustafa Ciftci expressed condolences on social media, referring to the victims as citizens; however, it remains unconfirmed whether any foreign nationals were involved in the tragedy. Manisa Governor Vahdettin Ozkan visited the crash site, where emergency teams were engaged in clearing the wreckage and investigating the incident. He emphasized the importance of adhering to traffic regulations to prevent such tragedies.
As the investigation continues, officials are working closely with the Public Prosecutor’s Office to determine the exact cause of the accident. The community is left mourning the loss of life and grappling with the implications of this tragic event on road safety in the region.
