Italian
firefighters inspect a Hungarian bus after a crash at 'Verona Est' highway's
exit in Verona, Italy on Saturday. Italian police reported at least 16 people
died in the bus crash, many who were Hungarian students returning to Budapest
from a school trip from France. Some 56 people were on board the bus during the
incident. Photo by Filippo Venezia/ European Pressphoto Agency
Jan. 21 Verona, ITALY -- At
least 16 people, most Hungarian teens, were killed Saturday when their bus hit
a bridge pillar and burst into flames in northern Italy.
Another 39 people were taken to local
hospitals after the crash near Verona, Italy. At least 12 are in serious
condition. Officials said the bus was carrying students from Szinyei Merse Pal
Gimnazium high school in Budapest, Hungary, who were returning from a ski trip
in France.
Hungary Prime Minister Viktor Orban declared
Monday a national day of mourning. Officials have not determined the cause of the crash.
"The particularly hard part of their job
will begin on Sunday: the identification of the bodies and the issuance of the
death certificates," the Hungarian government said.
Italian authorities said the bus crashed into
the pillar and burst into flames. Some of those on board were thrown from the vehicle. The bus was carrying two drivers
and 54 passengers.
An airplane and four ambulances from Hungary's National Ambulance Service departed Budapest for
Verona to return the injured.
Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his condolences and sympathy to the victims and their families.
"It is tragic that the crash claimed
lives of children and teenagers," he said.
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