A bus carrying a Ukrainian children’s ensemble from Lviv to a dance festival in Ohrid, North Macedonia, overturned on a Hungarian highway on July 6, leaving 21 people injured. According to Ukraine’s embassy in Hungary, the incident occurred at approximately 5 a.m. local time between the settlements of Kunszentmarton and Tiszafoldvar. Preliminary information suggests that the driver lost control of the bus, causing it to veer off the road and into a ditch. As of now, the exact cause of the crash remains under investigation.
The bus was transporting 77 individuals, including two drivers, chaperones, and members of the children’s ensemble. The injured include four people in serious condition, two teenagers (ages 14 and 18), and two seniors (ages 67 and 71). Four more children sustained moderate injuries, while the remaining victims had minor injuries. No fatalities were reported in the incident, according to the embassy’s statement.
Following the accident, rescuers are actively working at the crash site, supported by Ukrainian Ambassador Fegyir Sandor and consular officials aiding Ukrainian citizens. The injured victims have been transferred to hospitals in Szolnok, Kecskemetre, and Szentes for treatment. The remaining passengers are currently staying at the Kunszentmarton Cultural Center, where they have been provided with food, shelter, and medical attention for those with moderate and mild injuries.
In an effort to prevent further incidents, the bus operator has taken measures to review safety protocols. The Kyiv Independent notes that the story has been updated with additional details from Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry, emphasizing the importance of ensuring the safety of Ukrainian citizens abroad. The event underscores the ongoing challenges faced by Ukrainian groups traveling internationally, particularly in the context of the war in Ukraine.