Seven individuals lost their lives, and 11 others sustained injuries in a collision involving a passenger bus and a truck on a highway in southern Turkey early Saturday, December 6, 2025, as reported by local authorities. The accident occurred in the Bahce district of Osmaniye province, roughly 56 miles west of Gaziantep.
The incident took place in the morning when the intercity bus struck the rear of a truck that had halted on the highway due to a flat tire. The crash resulted in significant damage to the bus’s front right section, and all casualties were passengers aboard the bus. The truck driver survived and was detained by police for questioning.
Emergency responders were dispatched to the crash site, and authorities closed the affected section of the road to facilitate rescue operations and investigations. The highway serves as a major route connecting the cities of Adana and Gaziantep, facilitating significant intercity travel in the region.
According to the Osmaniye Governor’s Office, efforts are underway to identify the victims. The state-owned Anadolu Agency reported on the incident, providing details about the crash circumstances. Officials confirmed that the seven fatalities and 11 injuries occurred among bus passengers, with no other injuries reported.
Osmaniye Governor Erdinc Yilmaz addressed the public via 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, citing the governor’s office. Yilmaz extended condolences to the victims’ families and wished a swift 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. The highway system accommodates substantial daily traffic, including commercial vehicles like the truck involved in this collision.
Breakdowns on highways can pose significant risks, especially in high-traffic areas or during low-visibility conditions. When a large vehicle stops unexpectedly, it creates potential hazards for trailing traffic. The flat tire that caused the truck to stop exemplifies a common mechanical failure that can occur without warning.
The extent of damage to the bus’s front section illustrates the impact’s force when it hit 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 care, though the severity of their injuries has not been specified by officials.
Turkey’s intercity bus network is extensive, offering affordable transportation for millions annually. Bus companies operate regular routes between major cities, with departures scheduled throughout the day and night. Early morning travel, when this crash occurred, is common for passengers seeking to maximize time at destinations or reduce travel costs.
As investigators work to determine the events leading to the collision, questions about preventive measures and safety protocols are likely to arise. The investigation’s findings could impact future policies on vehicle maintenance standards, driver training, and emergency responses to highway breakdowns. For now, efforts focus on assisting the injured and providing answers to the families of the deceased.
