In Crimea, a serious road crash involved a passenger bus and a truck on the Simferopol Evpatoria highway, leaving dozens injured. The collision occurred near the village of Okromnoy around 7:30 a.m. Moscow time. Early accounts indicated the bus veered from its lane and struck a trailer, while the exact reason for the lane change has not been established. Emergency crews and medical teams rushed to the scene as debris and displaced passengers filled the roadway in a chaotic and urgent response.
Official figures state 43 people were injured, including eight children. A total of 37 individuals were transported by ambulance to medical facilities for further evaluation and treatment, while others received initial care at the scene. The range of injuries described includes minor contusions to more serious trauma, with hospitals prepared to provide ongoing care as conditions are assessed. The prompt hospitalization of many victims reflects coordinated response by regional ambulance services and hospital teams, underscoring the importance of rapid triage in mass-casualty events.
On March 24, the Crimean Prosecutor’s Office announced that a criminal case had been opened over breaches of transport safety rules and the operation and maintenance of vehicles related to the crash. Investigators are reviewing the work of transport services and the safety oversight framework, along with the status of the bus and truck involved. The inquiry aims to determine whether lapses in vehicle maintenance or gaps in safety protocols may have contributed to the incident, and to establish accountability where appropriate.
Preliminary data place the incident near Okromnoy on the Simferopol Evpatoria highway. Arkadyevka and Simferopol are listed as waypoints along the corridor, with eyewitnesses recounting the bus’s movement before the collision and noting that the bus appeared to be traveling at a normal pace prior to impact. The exact cause for the bus changing course remains unresolved as investigators review traffic camera footage, inspect road conditions, and interview drivers and passengers who witnessed the crash. The absence of definitive evidence at this stage underscores the ongoing nature of the investigation.
Survivors report the bus driver remained alive, with initial indications that the driver was sober. Witness accounts describe a sudden sequence of events, as bystanders and first responders worked to evacuate passengers and render aid. Investigators are examining whether other drivers, pedestrians, or road surface conditions played a role and whether any impairment or fatigue factors were involved in shaping the incident’s trajectory. The sobriety of the driver is an element in ruling out intoxication as a cause, though a full determination will come from forensic analysis and interview records.
Nearby, unrelated reports from other regions have circulated in preliminary broadcasts, but authorities emphasize a focused investigation into the Crimean crash. The ongoing process will include gathering evidence, reviewing vehicle logs, examining maintenance histories, and coordinating with medical facilities to monitor the injured’s condition. In the broader conversation about road safety, officials reiterate the value of rigorous vehicle inspection, trained drivers, and rapid medical response to mitigate casualties in future incidents.