An accident occurred involving 33 tourists who were returning from Bulgaria via the territory of Turkey. 6 people were killed consisting of 4 citizens of Georgia, 1 citizen of Azerbaijan and 1 Turkish citizen were killed. 22 others were injured and sent to hospital.
Bus driver Nikoloz Tukvadze of the Turkish Company of Makhmud Tour has been detained. This decision was made by the Court in the town of Kalak at a hearing to determine the drivers punishment.
Tukvadze has been accused of negligence. The Turkish court considered that he fell asleep at the steering wheel causing the bus to swerve off the road and down the ravine. The bus driver insisted that as it was raining, the highway was slippery and he found it difficult to control the bus
A court case will be held today to arrange for the personal items belonging to the passengers to be returned to them. Arrangements have then been made for the passengers to travel to Tbilisi by bus belonging to the transport company of Makhmud Tour.
Up to now 22 injured Georgian citizens have remained in different hospitals of Turkey. There is no threat to their lives.