Bus crashes into bridge in Ankara: 9 dead, 26 wounded

The accident happened around 5:00 a.m. as the bus, traveling towards Eskişehir, collided with the bridge's base in Polatlı, Ankara.

Numerous ambulances and fire department teams were dispatched to the scene, and the road in the Polatlı direction was closed to traffic.

First Statement from the Governor's Office

Ankara Governor Vasip Şahin announced that nine people have died, and 26 others were injured in the crash.

Eyewitness Account

Murat Türkoğlu, the driver of a car following the bus at the time of the accident, shared his account: "We were heading towards Polatlı. We had left Temelli together, driving one after the other. The bus was going a bit fast, it started to swerve, and then it hit the bridge. Debris from the bus struck our car. We flashed our lights and honked, but they didn’t hear us."

Minister Tunç: Three Prosecutors Assigned

Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç expressed his sorrow over the accident and stated, "A judicial investigation has been initiated by the Ankara Western Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office regarding the heartbreaking accident. Three prosecutors have been assigned under the coordination of a Deputy Chief Prosecutor. The investigation is being conducted with great care."

Statement from the Ministry of Health

The Ministry of Health released a statement regarding the accident: "In the bus accident that occurred near Polatlı, Ankara, nine of our citizens lost their lives, and 26 others were injured. The treatment of the injured is ongoing in hospitals. We extend our condolences to the families of those who lost their lives, and we wish the injured a swift recovery."