Camilla Jessen
Crash occurred in early morning hours on busy motorway.
A serious road accident in northeastern Germany left more than 20 people injured early Friday morning after a tour bus carrying 55 people overturned on the A19 highway near Röbel, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, German police said.
The bus, en route from Copenhagen to Vienna, veered to the right before tipping over around 2:40 a.m. local time.
According to Digi24, authorities say the exact cause of the crash is still under investigation.
Passenger Trapped for Hours
Among the injured, one person is in critical condition and was trapped inside the overturned vehicle for two hours before being rescued, according to police cited by dpa and Agerpres.
The full extent of their injuries is not yet known.
Emergency teams, including firefighters, paramedics, and rescue helicopters, were quickly dispatched to the scene.
Officers from several nearby highway patrol units also took part in the rescue effort.
Highway Closed Indefinitely
The A19 motorway has been completely shut down following the accident, with no official estimate yet on when it will reopen. The closure is affecting traffic between Berlin and the northern parts of the country.
The bus was carrying 53 passengers and two drivers when it overturned.
All onboard were evacuated following the crash, with many receiving treatment on-site or in local hospitals.
Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the accident, as officials work to clear the wreckage and assess damage to the road.
