A devastating traffic accident in Turkey’s Diyarbakır province on Saturday claimed the lives of seven people, including two young children, as a minibus carrying a family to an engagement party overturned. Several others sustained injuries in the tragic incident, which authorities are investigating.
Tragic Accident Details Emerge
The incident occurred in the Lice district of Diyarbakır province. The minibus was en route to the southeastern city of Mus to attend engagement celebrations when the vehicle reportedly suffered a tyre burst. This led to the driver losing control, resulting in the catastrophic overturn. Initial reports from the governor’s office indicated that two individuals died at the scene, while five others succumbed to their injuries while being treated in hospital. Nine people were reported to be receiving medical attention, with one individual in serious condition.
The children who tragically lost their lives were identified as being four and 10 years old. Images from the crash site depicted a severely damaged minibus, with shattered windows and a completely burnt interior, underscoring the severity of the impact.
Official Response and Condolences
Murat Zorluoğlu, the governor of Diyarbakır, visited the injured in the hospital and shared his profound sorrow over the incident. In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), he confirmed the rising death toll and extended his deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the deceased. “I have learned with profound sorrow that the number of our citizens who lost their lives in the tragic traffic accident that occurred in Lice district has risen to 7,” Governor Zorluoğlu wrote. “I extend my condolences and prayers for patience to their families, loved ones, and all our fellow townspeople; may God grant mercy to the deceased citizens, and I wish a speedy recovery to those injured and still undergoing treatment.”
Serra Bucak, the co-mayor of Diyarbakır, described the area as being plunged into mourning. She expressed the difficulty of finding words in the face of such immense grief, stating, “Finding words to say in the face of this great sorrow is difficult. May our heads be bowed in sorrow. May the heads of Diyarbakır and Lice be bowed in sorrow.”
Community Shares Grief
Bayram Bozyel, representing the Kurdistan Socialist Party (PSK) in Turkey, also conveyed his condolences via social media. He shared the community’s profound sadness upon learning of the seven fatalities, noting that the minibus was carrying members of the same family from Lice Sisê village. The vehicle was heading from Diyarbakır to Muş for wedding preparations when the crash occurred near the entrance of Lice. Bozyel extended deepest sympathies to the bereaved families, stating, “We share their pain from the bottom of our hearts.” He also wished for a swift recovery for those injured and expressed a hope that such tragedies would not befall the community again.
Ongoing Investigation
Authorities have launched an investigation into the precise causes of the accident. The governor’s office has stated that efforts are underway to determine all contributing factors. The incident highlights ongoing concerns about road safety in the region, particularly regarding vehicle maintenance and driving conditions.
Conclusion
The tragic loss of seven lives, including two young children, in this minibus accident has cast a pall of grief over Diyarbakır and the surrounding areas. As the community mourns and supports the injured, the investigation into the crash continues, aiming to provide answers and prevent future occurrences of such devastating events on Turkish roads.
