On 14th August at 21.45 Polish time in Romania in the town of BARZAVA, about 500 km from Bucharest, on the Romanian – Hungarian border, an accident took place involving a Bulgarian coach carrying Polish youths from the Hotel and Catering School in Cieszyn, who were returning from a work experience trip in Bulgaria. There were 46 pupils and 2 supervising adults on the coach.

        The lives of none of those who were injured is in danger. 

        The Polish Embassy in Bucharest is in regular contact with the hospital, the injured and their families, as well as the police. The Polish Consul in Budapest, due to the shorter distance, is travelling to Barzava today. 

        The condition of the injured is as follows:

        • one person (broken leg) is waiting for an operation and will be in hospital for at least a week;
        • four people (general bruising, spine damage, broken shoulder) can return by ambulance in a   reclined position;
        • the remaining people who were treated can return to Poland by coach.

        Medical treatment was provided to 27 people. 

        On 15th August, an ambulance sent by the insurer (WARTA) left Warsaw to collect the injured. The Polish doctor travelling with the ambulance will decide on further steps.

        The Bulgarian coach company is providing return transport to Poland for the remaining people.

        The police have established the cause of the accident, which happened on a sharp corner. Initial findings indicate that the driver was blinded by the lights of an oncoming car and turned the steering wheel sharply, thereby driving into a ditch.

Piotr Paszkowski
MFA Press Spokesman