Seven killed, 11 injured after crane falls on minibus in eastern Turkey’s Ağrı

AĞRI - Anadolu Agency

DHA photo

A crane on a trucking rig fell onto a minibus in the Tutak district of the eastern province of Ağrı on Aug. 14, killing seven people and injuring 11 others.

The crane overturned from the trucking rig on a road bend near the village of Palandöken at around 4.20 p.m. local time. 

It subsequently hit a minibus coming from the opposite side of the road.

Seven people inside the minibus died after being trapped inside, while another 11 were injured.

The first response was carried out by people traveling in passing vehicles on the road. 

Those injured in the incident were taken to various hospitals nearby and four are reported to be in a critical condition.

A number of ambulances and security forces were immediately dispatched to the scene.

The minibus driver is reported to have fled the scene after the accident. 

The Ağrı Governor’s Office issued a statement about the accident on Aug. 14. 

“Within the boundaries of our province’s Tutak district, on the Ağrı-Van highway, following the crash of a truck and minibus, seven of our citizens lost their lives and 11 of our citizens, three seriously wounded, were injured,” it said.

Both lanes on the road were temporarily closed to traffic after the accident.