31.05.2026 08:50
8 people died and 33 were injured when a passenger bus caught fire after crashing into barriers on the Denizli-Aydın Highway. According to initial investigations, some passengers died after being trapped at the exit doors during the panic caused by the fire.
Details emerging from the bus disaster near Denizli's Sarayköy district were heartbreaking.
A passenger bus belonging to Pamukkale Turizm, operating the Izmir-Antalya route, crashed into barriers on the Denizli-Aydın Highway and caught fire. In the accident, 8 people, including the driver and a 9-month-old baby, lost their lives, while 33 people were injured.
FIRE QUICKLY ENGULFED THE BUS
The accident occurred around 01:40 at night near the Tırkaz neighborhood. The bus, which crashed into barriers after driver Mustafa Fevzi Mertun lost control of the steering wheel, caught fire due to the impact. The fire, which grew rapidly, turned the bus into a ball of fire.
Upon notification, health, police, gendarmerie, and fire brigade teams were dispatched to the scene. First aid was administered at the scene to passengers who managed to exit the bus.
PASSENGERS TRAPPED IN THE DOOR AREA
According to initial findings, great panic occurred on the bus during the fire that started after the accident. It was determined that some passengers headed towards the exit doors but got stuck in the door area due to the congestion. It was established that some passengers trapped near the door lost their lives as the fire spread rapidly.
BODIES REMOVED FROM BUS TURNED INTO A PILE OF METAL
Following the extinguishing of the fire, examinations showed that the bodies of the 8 people who lost their lives were removed from the bus, which had turned into a pile of metal, and taken to the Denizli Forensic Medicine Institute Group Directorate morgue.
It was learned that there were 38 passengers, including 1 baby, and 3 crew members on the bus, while gendarmerie teams conducted a comprehensive investigation around the highway. The investigation into the accident continues.
IDENTITIES OF THE DECEASED REVEALED
According to initial determinations, those who lost their lives in the accident were identified as Captain Driver Mustafa Fevzi Mertun, 50, Merve Erik, Hayriye Arıkan, Civan Şen, Şen's 9-month-old son Eyüp Miraç Şen, Zehra Eyiol, Fatma Kartal, and Kyrgyz national Gültilay Bığa.