Tragic Bus Accident in Antalya, Turkey Claims Nine Lives
By Sertac Aktan with AP
Published on February 1, 2026
A catastrophic bus accident in the Döşemealtı district of Antalya, Turkey, on Sunday resulted in the deaths of nine individuals and left numerous others injured. The incident, which occurred around 10:20 AM local time, has drawn significant attention due to the loss of life and the dire conditions on the roads at the time.
Images from the scene reveal a bus overturned on its side off a highway slip road, underscoring the severity of the crash. Eyewitness accounts indicate that the vehicle was traveling from Isparta to Antalya when it encountered perilous weather conditions, including heavy fog and rain, which are typical in the region this time of year.
Survivor Ahmet Kodaz recounted the harrowing moments prior to the accident. “We were traveling from Isparta to Antalya. The driver was going very fast despite the fog. When we approached a bend, the bus couldn’t make the turn. It tilted sideways, slid, got stuck in the barrier, and then rolled down the embankment with all of us onboard,” he shared.
Antalya Governor Hulusi Şahin confirmed the critical details of the incident. He reported that the passenger bus, which was on its way from Tekirdağ and had 34 passengers, failed to navigate a bend near the Kömürler intersection. The bus subsequently veered off the road and rolled into a ravine, highlighting the need for improved road safety measures in the region.
Authorities reported that among the injured, seven individuals are in critical condition, with some suffering severe injuries that may necessitate amputations. Tragically, the driver of the bus was also among those killed in the horrific accident.
Antalya, a well-known Mediterranean tourist destination, has recently experienced extreme weather conditions, which may have contributed to the accident. The area was reportedly shrouded in fog at the time of the incident, raising concerns about road safety and driver conduct in adverse conditions.
In a related incident on the same day, a separate head-on collision in Burdur, located approximately 65 kilometers north of Döşemealtı, claimed the lives of seven additional people.
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya took to social media to express his sorrow over the mounting traffic fatalities, noting that 6,351 people lost their lives on Turkish roads in 2024 alone. He emphasized the urgent need to reform traffic laws and foster a stronger safety culture among drivers to prevent such tragedies in the future.
As the investigation into both accidents continues, local officials and community members are left grappling with the stark reality of road safety challenges in Turkey. This heartbreaking event serves as a reminder of the ongoing need for vigilance and adherence to traffic regulations, especially in unpredictable weather conditions.
In conclusion, the tragic bus accident in Antalya highlights the pressing issues surrounding roadway safety in Turkey. It calls for immediate action to address the systemic problems contributing to such incidents, ensuring the safety of passengers and road users alike.
