One dead, and dozens injured when an international bus coach caught fire in Slovakia
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LIPTOVSKÁ OSADA, Slovakia — Feb. 17, 2026 — An international coach traveling from Kraków to Budapest collided with a timber truck in central Slovakia on Monday, killing the bus driver and injuring dozens of passengers before the vehicle erupted into flames, according to Slovak and regional media reports.
The crash reportedly occurred on the I/59 route between Ružomberok and Banská Bystrica, a key mountain corridor. The impact left the front of the coach crushed and ignited a fire that rapidly engulfed the vehicle. The driver died at the scene, trapped inside the burning cabin.
Authorities said 26 to 30 passengers, most of them Polish nationals, managed to escape before the fire spread. Several were treated for injuries ranging from fractures to smoke inhalation and were transported to hospitals in Ružomberok and Banská Bystrica.
Firefighters deployed multiple units, including 16 personnel and eight emergency vehicles, to extinguish the fire and secure the crash site. Photos released by emergency services showed the coach fully consumed by fire, leaving only a charred frame.
Police closed the roadway for several hours as investigators examined the scene and heavy‑recovery crews removed the wreckage. Early reports indicated that the lorry was carrying cut timber, which scattered across the road during the collision.
The incident drew widespread attention in Slovakia and Poland due to the international route, the dramatic fire, and the number of foreign passengers involved. Slovak media described it as one of the most serious transport accidents of the winter season.
Authorities have not yet released details on the cause of the collision. The investigation is ongoing.
Further Reading:
https://pollar.news/en/event/71d2c14c-2dae-40a7-b74a-53144ac6c8f9/coach-acciden…
https://caliber.az/en/post/bus-from-krakow-to-budapest-catches-fire-after-crash…
https://dailynewshungary.com/fatal-crash-bus-lorry-to-budapest/?