ZH
IT
DE
Snow chaos in western Hungary: Bus overturns, 12 injured as storms paralyse transport – photos
A serious road accident left 12 people injured on Friday morning near Zalaegerszeg in Hungary, after a regional coach slid off the snowy and icy road and overturned in wintry conditions.
According to local authorities, the bus was travelling on Route 76 from Bagod towards Zalaegerszeg when strong crosswinds pushed the vehicle off the snow- and slush-covered carriageway and into a roadside ditch, MTI reported. There were 12 people on board, including the driver.
Two passengers suffered serious injuries while ten others were treated for minor wounds. Ambulances transported all of them to hospital.
Several cars travelling behind the bus also collided due to the slippery surface, although no further injuries or major damage were reported. Police fully closed the affected section of the main road and diverted traffic towards Apátfa.
Dramatic rescue through rear window and windscreen
Disaster management teams said some passengers managed to climb out through the rear window. Firefighters had to cut through the windscreen to free four trapped people.
The Zalaegerszeg accident was reportedly the most serious of a string of incidents linked to rapidly worsening winter weather across western Hungary.
Sixteen buses involved in weather-related accidents
Transport authorities described the situation in the region as “critical”. State railway company MÁV issued an extraordinary warning urging people not to travel unless absolutely necessary.
According to 444.hu, no fewer than 16 Volán intercity buses slid off icy or snowy roads during the day, most of them ending up in ditches.
Rail services have also been disrupted. Trains are running with significant delays due to snow-covered switches and fallen trees blocking tracks.
Orange weather alerts and heavy snowfall
Hungary’s meteorological service, HungaroMet, issued second-level (orange) alerts for snowfall and drifting snow across several western counties.
Forecasters warned that more than 20 centimetres of fresh snow could fall within 24 hours in Győr-Moson-Sopron and Vas counties, while strong winds may create high snowdrifts and severely reduce visibility.
Elsewhere in Transdanubia, 5–10 centimetres of snow is expected, with gusts reaching 60–75 km/h.
Firefighters stretched across the region
Emergency crews have been dealing with dozens of incidents, from stranded vehicles to fallen trees. In several towns, trees collapsed onto cars and houses, requiring urgent intervention.
In Sopron, heavy snowfall reportedly buried streets and vehicles under 20–25 centimetres of snow, with residents forced to dig out their cars.
The National Directorate General for Disaster Management has asked motorists to avoid driving unless essential and to check road and weather conditions before setting out. Officials also stressed the importance of winter tyres, properly maintained vehicles and slower, more cautious driving.
If you missed it: