Passenger bus traveling from Balıkesir to Cappadocia overturns in Aksaray: Many dead and injured

A major accident occurred in Aksaray when a tour bus traveling from Balıkesir to Cappadocia overturned. The accident took place at around 7:00 AM near Acıpınar village, 25 kilometers along the Aksaray-Ankara highway. Initial reports indicate that 7 people lost their lives, and 33 were injured. The bus, with license plate 45 HB 0560, driven by Nurhan Hazer (55), crashed into the barriers and skidded for approximately 90 meters after the driver lost control.

Accident Details:

– The bus was carrying 44 people, including 2 drivers, 1 guide, and 41 passengers.

– The injured were transported to Aksaray Training and Research Hospital by ambulance. The bodies of those who died were sent to the hospital’s morgue for autopsy.

– Aksaray Governor Mehmet Ali Kumbuzoğlu visited the scene and stated that the accident had occurred when the bus overturned to the right side of the road near Acıpınar. The initial death toll was reported as 6 but later increased to 7.

– An investigation into the accident will be carried out with the utmost care.

Eyewitness Accounts:

– Another driver, Mehmet Tayiroğlu, reported that the bus had overtook him and then began swerving. He believes the driver may have fallen asleep. He saw the bus crash into the barriers and overturn.

– One of the passengers, Ramazan Durmuş, said he was asleep and had his seatbelt fastened when the bus overturned.

Legal and Judicial Process:

– Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç announced that three prosecutors had been assigned to investigate the accident and expressed his condolences to the families of the victims.

– The bus driver, Nurhan Hazer, who sustained minor injuries, was taken into custody by the gendarmerie following treatment, as per the orders of the Aksaray Public Prosecutor’s Office.

Statement by the Minister of Interior:

– Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya stated that the accident occurred on the E-90 highway in Aksaray’s central district. He confirmed that the bus was traveling from Balıkesir to Cappadocia when it went off the road and overturned. He reported that 7 people lost their lives and 33 others were injured, 2 of them critically. The minister also shared a video of the accident on his social media account.

This tragic accident has brought road safety and driver rest periods back into public discussion. It is suspected that the driver may have fallen asleep, but the investigation is ongoing. (sozcü)