The tragedy occurred on Sunday evening when a camper suddenly drove into the oncoming traffic lane on state road No. 79, between Terni and Rieti. It collided head-on with a bus, and then three cars crashed into it, whose drivers did not manage to stop in time, writes “The Sun”.
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The horrific photos show shattered front windows of the tourist bus and torn-off front doors, with debris scattered on the highway. According to local media, the impact was so strong that the camper was completely destroyed. Rescue services rushed to the scene, and several seriously injured people were airlifted to nearby hospitals by helicopter. Currently, six passengers are in critical condition, and two others have suffered serious injuries. Italian broadcaster RAI reported that among the injured is believed to be a child. The tourists on the bus were heading to the Marmore waterfalls – an artificial waterfall system created by the Romans – while the camper travelers were returning from Terni.
According to the Italian publication “Il Post,” two drivers and four passengers – two from the camper and two from the bus – died in the crash. The deceased have not yet been identified. The president of the Umbria region, Stefania Proietti, said that rescuers arrived at the scene where they saw a “horrific sight” that will remain in their memory for a long time.
In a statement released after the accident, she said: “It was a huge, catastrophic disaster. We immediately began applying the appropriate protocol – even before the paramedics arrived. I want to honor the rescuers who faced such a gruesome sight, as well as the injured and survivors who will carry these images in their hearts and minds for a long time. We express our condolences to the relatives of the deceased.”
The police have launched an investigation into the causes of the accident and have closed the road to assist survivors and remove vehicle debris. The tragedy occurred during what locals call a “black weekend” due to numerous traffic accidents, as it is the first weekend of the Italian summer holidays. According to the road safety monitoring organization “Sapidata-Asaps Observatory,” at least 31 people died in traffic accidents across Italy from Friday to Sunday. Among the victims are a 14-year-old girl and two 17-year-old boys.
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