Hungary Bus Crash Kills 12 Polish Tourists: What We Know

On August 16, 2026, a Polish tourist bus crashed on Hungary's M3 motorway, killing 12 people and injuring dozens more. It is the deadliest road accident in the country in over two decades .

Time and location

The crash occurred around 1:00 a.m. local time on Sunday, August 16, 2026, on the M3 motorway near Mezőkeresztes, about 140 km (87 miles) east of Budapest, heading toward Nyíregyháza . The bus left the road on a straight section, veered into a ditch, and overturned .

Passengers and nationalities

The bus carried 57 passengers and two drivers — 59 people total . All victims were Polish nationals; the bus was returning from Serbia to Poland . Reports describe the group as Polish pilgrims .

Likely cause

Police preliminary findings indicate the driver likely fell asleep at the wheel . The crash occurred on a straight road with no other vehicles involved, and no mechanical failure has been reported initially . The driver was taken into custody .

Injuries

• 12 killed (confirmed)
• Reports on the number of injured vary: police and emergency services said 47 people were injured, 10 seriously , while other sources say at least 10 hospitalized with serious injuries . Polskie Radio reported 7 remained in very serious condition .
• The ambulance service said 37 people suffered minor injuries .

Rescue operation

Hungarian emergency services deployed multiple ambulances and rescue units to the scene. Injured passengers were taken to hospitals in the region . The bus overturned in a ditch, complicating the extrication of victims .

Legal aftermath

The driver was taken into custody by Hungarian police for questioning . An investigation has been opened into the cause of the crash, with the driver suspected of falling asleep .

Official reactions

• Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar confirmed the tragedy in a Facebook post, expressing condolences and stating the government would provide full support to the victims' families .
• Polish leaders (including President Andrzej Duda and Prime Minister Donald Tusk) expressed condolences and said assistance for the victims' families was being arranged .

Historical context

This crash is being described as Hungary's deadliest road accident in more than 20 years . The last comparable tragedy on Hungarian roads was a multiple-fatality bus crash in 2004 or earlier; no single bus accident in recent memory has claimed this many lives .