New details of bus crash reveal 12 dead: They were apparently returning from pilgrimage to Medjugorje (PHOTO)

Twelve people died and at least ten were injured after a bus overturned on a highway in eastern Hungary early Sunday morning. The incident occurred near the town of Mezőkeresztes, approximately 140 kilometers east of Budapest, according to local police. The bus, registered in Poland, had traveled from Serbia into Hungary before the accident. Authorities confirmed that the victims were returning from a pilgrimage to Medjugorje, a site in Bosnia and Herzegovina known for its religious significance among Catholics. The crash happened around 1:00 AM on Sunday on the M3 highway, where the bus was traveling toward Nyíregyháza. According to police reports, the vehicle veered off the road and flipped over into a ditch. The driver, who has been detained, is believed to have fallen asleep at the wheel, based on initial investigations. The bus carried 57 passengers and two drivers, all of whom were Polish citizens, as confirmed by the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A spokesperson for the ministry, Maciej Wewior, stated that evidence suggests the group was indeed returning from their pilgrimage to Medjugorje. Local authorities in the region corroborated this information. Emergency services arrived quickly at the scene and began rescuing passengers through the shattered windows of the red-colored bus, which lay on its side in the ditch. Several individuals were trapped beneath the wreckage, requiring extensive efforts to free them. The extent of the damage to the bus was evident from photographs released by media outlets, showing broken windows, scattered personal belongings, and luggage strewn across the roadside. Firefighters worked under challenging conditions to extract survivors while paramedics tended to the injured. The bus had departed from Serbia and entered Hungary via the border town of Ruma, following a route commonly used by pilgrims heading to Medjugorje. Pilgrimages to the site often involve long journeys, with many travelers opting for buses due to cost-effectiveness. This particular group had likely completed their spiritual journey and was en route back home when the tragedy struck. The exact cause of the accident is still under investigation, though preliminary findings point to driver fatigue as a potential factor. Local police have launched an official inquiry into the incident, focusing on the circumstances leading up to the crash. They have secured the driver for questioning and are examining the bus's maintenance records and the driver’s recent activities. Meanwhile, families of the deceased and injured are being notified, and support services have been mobilized to assist affected individuals. The Hungarian government has expressed condolences and pledged cooperation with Polish officials to ensure a thorough investigation. In the aftermath of the crash, emergency responders continued to work at the scene throughout the day, clearing debris and transporting the injured to nearby hospitals. The condition of some of the wounded remains critical, with medical teams providing ongoing treatment. The incident has drawn attention from both national and international media, highlighting the risks associated with long-distance travel and the need for improved safety measures on highways. As the investigation progresses, more details about the sequence of events and possible contributing factors are expected to emerge.