A fatal bus accident in Bingöl province has claimed the lives of four people and left more than 30 others injured, according to local authorities.

The incident occurred when a passenger bus heading towards Erzurum overturned into a ditch on the Bingöl-Diyarbakır highway near Doğanca village.

The accident was reported at around 8:00 AM local time, approximately 8 kilometers before the Genç district. Bingöl Governor Ahmet Hamdi Usta, addressing the situation at the accident site, stated: "The bus heading to Erzurum lost control due to excessive icing about 8 kilometers before the Genç district around 8 o'clock, and rolled into the ditch."

Immediate response was mounted by emergency services including 112 Emergency Health, AFAD (Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency), UMKE (National Medical Rescue Team), and gendarmerie units. Governor Usta estimated that the bus carried 41 passengers, two drivers, and one assistant. The injured were swiftly moved to local hospitals for medical attention, with the exact number of casualties still under confirmation.

An investigation has been initiated to ascertain the precise cause of the accident, though preliminary findings suggest that icy road conditions were a significant contributing factor. The Bingöl-Diyarbakır highway is currently under increased surveillance as officials evaluate road safety.

This incident underscores the hazardous nature of winter driving, prompting local authorities to warn travelers about the perils of navigating icy roads. Further details on the health of the survivors and the progress of the investigation will be provided as they become available. (ILKHA)