A tragic bus accident early this morning on the outskirts of Ankara has resulted in 11 fatalities and 26 injuries, authorities reported.

The accident occurred near Olukpınar village in the Polatlı district when an intercity passenger bus, operated by Öz Ağrı Seç Turizm, veered off the road and collided with a bridge support structure. The bus was traveling from İzmir, located on Turkey’s western coast, to Ağrı in the far east.

Emergency services were promptly dispatched to the scene, where firefighters worked to free passengers trapped inside the wreckage. The injured were quickly transported to nearby hospitals for medical treatment. The road in the area was temporarily closed following the crash.

Initial investigations suggest that the bus driver may have fallen asleep at the wheel, as no skid marks were found at the scene. It remains unclear whether the driver was among those who lost their lives.

Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç announced via social media that the Ankara West Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has launched a formal investigation into the incident. A deputy chief public prosecutor is overseeing the case, with three public prosecutors assigned to the investigation. The authorities are continuing to gather details about the cause of the accident. (ILKHA)