Turkey: 7 Killed after Bus Crashes, Catches Fire

On Monday, a bus collided with two trucks and caught fire in Turkey, killing at least seven people and injuring 18 others, according to officials.

The accident occurred on a highway near the town of Tutak in Agri province in eastern Turkey, which borders Iran and Armenia. The state-run Anadolu Agency said the cause of the crash was under investigation.

Television footage showed thick black smoke billowing from the scene.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced the deaths during his speech at the opening ceremony of projects for rural areas.

“Unfortunately, seven of our citizens passed away as a result of a fire caused by the overturning of a bus in Tutak. I wish God’s mercy on them,” Erdogan said.

The office of the governor of Agri noted that 18 people were taken to hospital for treatment following the accident and that two of them are in serious condition.