A tragic road accident killed five people and injured 28 on Friday morning, at around 6:15.

The accident, which involved a bus and a dump truck loaded with sand, occurred on the national road DN1, on the Ploiesti bypass (some 60 km from Bucharest). The bus, which was carrying 33 people, hit the back of the truck.

The incident happened on the lane to Brasov, but both lanes were closed for traffic in order to make it easier for the ambulances to transport the victims.

The Inspectorate for Emergency Situations (ISU) has activated the red intervention plan, which means that a large number of ambulances and intervention teams have been mobilized for this accident. More than 20 ambulances arrived at the scene, as well as dozens of firefighters, policemen, and doctors. The injured have been transported to the Emergency Unit in Ploiesti.

Moreover, ISU also opened two special phone lines for the family and friends of those involved in the accident.

The preliminary investigation found no evidence that the bus tried to brake. Possible causes include a technical failure, the driver’s lack of attention, or a medical problem. The Police opened a criminal file for manslaughter and serious bodily harm by negligence.

The road was reopened for traffic later the same morning.

Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com

(Photo source: IGSU - Inspectoratul General pentru Situatii de Urgenta, Romania on Facebook, photo credit: Andrei Iancu )