Türkiye Bus-Truck Crash: 11 Dead, 27 Injured, Two Drivers Detained

ISTANBUL: At least 11 people were killed and 27 others injured after a tour bus collided with a truck carrying large wooden planks in Türkiye’s western province of Manisa. Both vehicles overturned in the crash, and authorities detained both drivers as part of the investigation.

According to Turkish and international media reports, the accident occurred shortly after 11 a.m. local time on Sunday, October 11, on the Gebze-Orhangazi-Izmir Highway in Manisa province. The bus sustained extensive damage to its rear section.

Police officers, firefighters and medical emergency teams were dispatched to the scene shortly after the crash. The injured were transported to nearby hospitals for treatment.

34 Passengers and Three Crew Members Were on Board
Manisa Governor Vahdettin Özkan said the bus was carrying 34 passengers and three crew members, while the truck had one driver.

According to reports, 16 of the injured were classified under the yellow-code category, nine under the green-code category and one under the red-code category. These classifications were used to assess the injured, although further details about their individual conditions were not immediately available.

Both Drivers Detained as Investigation Continues
Authorities detained both the bus driver and the truck driver as investigators began examining the circumstances surrounding the collision. The bus driver was reportedly taken into custody after being discharged from hospital, while the truck driver was also detained for questioning.

Citing local newspaper Hürriyet, reports said the truck was allegedly travelling on the wrong side of the road before the collision. However, authorities have yet to confirm the precise cause of the crash, which remains under investigation.

Emergency Teams Rushed to the Scene
Türkiye’s Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi said in a statement shared on social media platform X that emergency response teams had been dispatched promptly.

The response involved the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), police, security forces, firefighters and medical personnel. The teams worked to respond to the emergency and assist those affected by the crash.

According to officials, the people killed in the accident were Turkish citizens. Further details regarding the possible involvement of foreign nationals have not been confirmed.

Governor Özkan visited the crash site and said the local prosecutor’s office was overseeing the investigation. He also stressed the importance of complying with traffic regulations, highlighting the role of road safety measures in preventing loss of life.

Another Fatal Road Accident in Türkiye This Year
The crash is among several fatal road accidents reported in Türkiye this year.

On August 15, a minibus carrying people to an engagement party overturned in the Lice district of Diyarbakır province, killing seven people and injuring nine others.

Turkish media reported that 18 people were travelling in the minibus at the time of the accident. Diyarbakır Governor Murat Zorluoğlu said the vehicle’s tyre burst, causing the driver to lose control before the minibus overturned down an embankment.

The latest crash in Manisa has once again highlighted concerns over road safety and the importance of strict compliance with traffic regulations. Authorities are continuing their investigation to establish the exact circumstances that led to the collision.