Seven individuals lost their lives, and 11 others were injured when a passenger bus collided with a truck on a highway in southern Turkey early Saturday, December 6, 2025, according to local officials. The incident took place in the Bahce district of Osmaniye province, roughly 56 miles west of Gaziantep.
The crash occurred in the morning when the intercity bus rear-ended a truck that had stopped on the highway due to a flat tire. The collision severely damaged the front right section of the bus, and all casualties were among the passengers of the vehicle. The truck driver survived and was detained by authorities for questioning.
Emergency services were dispatched to the location following the collision, and the affected portion of the road was closed to facilitate rescue operations and an investigation. This highway connects the cities of Adana and Gaziantep and serves as a major intercity route in the area.
The Osmaniye Governor’s Office reported ongoing efforts to identify the victims of the collision. The state-owned Anadolu Agency covered the incident, providing details about the circumstances leading to the crash. Officials confirmed that the fatalities and injuries were limited to the bus passengers, with no casualties among other involved parties.
Osmaniye Governor Erdinc Yilmaz addressed the situation through a statement on Facebook. “All of the dead and injured were on board the bus with efforts ongoing to identify the victims,” state news agency Anadolu reported, quoting the governor’s office. Yilmaz extended condolences to the families of the deceased and wished a speedy recovery for the injured.
This incident underscores ongoing concerns about highway safety in Turkey, particularly regarding intercity bus travel. Buses are a primary mode of long-distance transportation in the country, connecting cities and provinces across diverse terrains. The highway system carries substantial daily traffic, including commercial vehicles like the truck involved in this collision.
Vehicle breakdowns on highways pose specific risks in high-traffic areas or during low-visibility conditions. When a truck or large vehicle stops unexpectedly, it can create hazardous situations for following traffic, especially with limited reaction time. The flat tire that caused the truck to stop highlights a common mechanical issue that can arise without warning.
The extent of the damage to the bus’s front section indicates the force of impact with the stopped truck. “Footage from the scene showed the front right section of the bus was totally mangled where it hit the back of the lorry,” according to state news agency Anadolu. The 11 injured passengers are receiving medical attention, though officials have not detailed the severity of their injuries.
Turkey’s intercity bus network operates extensively throughout the country, offering affordable transportation for millions of travelers annually. Bus companies maintain regular routes between major cities, with vehicles traveling at various times throughout the day and night. Early-morning travel, when this crash occurred, is common among passengers seeking to maximize time at destinations or reduce travel expenses.
As investigators work to determine the events leading to the collision, questions about preventive measures and safety protocols are likely to arise. The findings from this investigation could influence future policies regarding vehicle maintenance standards, driver training requirements, and emergency response procedures for highway breakdowns. Currently, the focus is on supporting the injured passengers and providing answers to the families of those who died in the crash.
