Catastrophe in Malatya: Bus overturns, resulting in deaths and injuries

Early this morning in the Develi neighborhood of Akçadağ district, a bus from Medine Turizm, driven by Y.K. and carrying passengers from Istanbul to Malatya, skidded on ice and overturned. The bus, bearing the license plate 44 AK 041, was then struck by a truck driven by İ.A., with the license plate 06 CHL 767.

Upon receiving reports from other drivers, emergency teams, including gendarmerie, firefighters, and medical personnel, rushed to the scene.

Four people died in the accident, confirmed by medical staff on-site. Firefighters rescued passengers trapped in the bus, while the injured, one critically, were transported to local hospitals. Authorities have sent the bodies of the deceased for autopsy.

The deceased in the accident have been identified as Süleyman Savaş Evliyagil, Esma Donak, Gülizar Sarsılmaz, and Abuzer Ak.

The Governor's Office of Malatya issued a statement confirming the four deaths and 31 injuries. According to the statement, "On January 2, 2024, around 06:30, a passenger bus driven by Y.K., lost control and overturned on the D-300 highway within the Develi neighborhood of Akçadağ District. Following the bus's overturn, a PTT-owned truck, driven by İ.A., collided with it, resulting in fatalities and injuries. The injured were taken to various hospitals in Malatya for treatment. An investigation is underway under the guidance of the Republic Prosecutor."

Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç announced the initiation of an investigation into the accident via social media. He expressed condolences and wishes for a speedy recovery for the injured, stating, "An inquiry led by two Republic prosecutors is ongoing."

The road closed due to the accident, reopened after the removal of the bus and truck. The investigation into the incident is still ongoing.

Doğanşehir District Governor Mehmet Kılıç released a statement on social media about the accident, saying, "In the traffic accident in the Develi area of Malatya's Akçadağ district, four of our citizens have died, and 36 have been injured. I offer my condolences to the bereaved families and wish a quick recovery to the injured."