Brutal scenes unfolded on the first day of summer in central Budapest, when a minor collision that caused significant damage escalated into violence. Following the incident, foreign passengers in a taxi leapt out and began seriously assaulting the driver of the minivan involved.

Street violence in the heart of Budapest

What began as a routine traffic accident quickly descended into violence in Budapest’s sixth district, Terézváros, at the junction of Izabella Street and Aradi Street. A black Ford minibus collided with a taxi, tearing off one of its doors and causing considerable damage. Rather than proceeding with the usual exchange of insurance details, however, the taxi’s foreign passengers took matters into their own hands.

Minivan Budapest violence
The taxi without one of its doors. Photo: PrtScr/24.hu/video

According to reports, three Czech men got out of the taxi and confronted the minivan driver. At first, they shouted abuse, kicked his vehicle and spat through the window. Two of them briefly left the scene, but one remained and continued the altercation with the driver.

The other two soon returned, rushing back to join the confrontation. Acting together, they dragged the driver from his vehicle, forced him to the ground, and repeatedly punched and kicked him. Footage that has since emerged shows the man being kicked in the head at least once while lying on the ground.

Minivan Budapest violence
Photo: PrtScr/24.hu/video

A loud crash, then tempers flare

Witnesses said the collision was marked by a loud bang, after which tempers quickly flared. Several onlookers were reportedly left in shock, with some even in tears at the scene. Local residents noted that while minor collisions are not uncommon at the intersection, such a violent escalation had not been seen before.

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Despite the severity of the assault, the victim did not appear to have suffered serious injuries, according to the footage. He was able to stand up and continued arguing with the three Czech tourists.

Budapest police confirmed that officers arriving at the scene detained three Czech nationals. The men were questioned on suspicion of affray and have since been released pending further proceedings. The assaulted driver was taken to hospital, while the circumstances of the collision are being investigated separately.

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