ISTANBUL (AP) – A tragic accident occurred in the southern province of Antalya, Turkey, on Sunday when a passenger bus rolled off the road, resulting in the deaths of eight individuals. According to a senior official, the incident took place in Dosemealti, a district located to the northwest of Antalya city center.
Images broadcasted by the state-run TRT network depicted the bus lying on its side on an embankment along a highway slip road. The bus had been traveling overnight from Tekirdag, situated in northwestern Turkey, when the accident transpired. The provincial governor of Antalya, Hulusi Sahin, provided further details regarding the incident, confirming that 26 people sustained injuries, with some in critical condition.
Reports from the DHA news agency indicated that several passengers were ejected from the bus during the crash. Eyewitness accounts and preliminary investigations suggest that adverse weather conditions may have played a role in the accident. Antalya has experienced heavy rainfall in the days leading up to the incident, resulting in wet road conditions and a significant amount of fog in the area.
Governor Sahin commented on the situation during an interview with TRT, saying, "The ground was wet and there was also fog in the area. It’s not a place to speed, but it seems the bus was speeding." This implies that despite the hazardous conditions, the bus driver may have been exceeding safe driving limits, contributing to the tragedy.
This unfortunate event highlights the dangers associated with travel in inclement weather, especially in regions popular with tourists. Antalya is known for its Mediterranean climate and attracts millions of visitors annually, making road safety a critical concern for both local authorities and transport operators.
As investigations continue to determine the precise cause of the accident, local authorities are expected to raise awareness about safe travel practices, particularly during adverse weather conditions, to prevent similar occurrences in the future. The impact of this devastating incident will undoubtedly reverberate throughout the community and raise questions about bus safety regulations and enforcement in Turkey.
The loss of life in such accidents is always deeply saddening, and this tragedy serves as a somber reminder of the potential dangers faced by travelers. As families mourn the loss of their loved ones, there will be calls for improved safety measures in public transportation to ensure that such incidents do not happen again.
