16 hospitalised after bus carrying over 60 passengers collides with lorry in Călărași, Romania
Emergency services in southern Romania activated the Red Intervention Plan after a coach carrying about 60 people collided with a truck near Drajna on 9 July. Most injured suffered light wounds, but one victim was airlifted to hospital with multiple trauma.
The crash
A serious road accident occurred on Thursday afternoon, 9 July 2026, when a coach carrying dozens of passengers collided with a truck in the locality of Drajna, Călărași county. Initial reports placed around 60 people on board the bus. The collision prompted local authorities to activate the Red Intervention Plan, a protocol reserved for incidents with a high number of potential victims. The exact cause of the crash remains under investigation.
Emergency response
Rescue teams mobilised seven medical resources from the Inspectorate for Emergency Situations and the County Ambulance Service, together with two extrication vehicles and two vehicles for operational tasks. A SMURD helicopter was also requested for one person who had sustained multiple traumas. Traffic on the Drajna–Slobozia route was blocked while crews worked at the scene, and drivers were advised to avoid the area.
- Coach collides with truck in Drajna, about 60 passengers on board.
- Authorities declare a mass-casualty incident and dispatch seven medical units, two extrication vehicles, and operational crews.
- A SMURD helicopter is requested for one victim with multiple traumas.
- After victims are transported, the emergency protocol is lifted. 16 people hospitalized, most with light injuries.
Casualties
The number of people hurt differs slightly between sources. One report states that 16 passengers (12 adults and 4 children) were transported to hospital, with 15 having light injuries and one suffering multiple traumas. Another account puts the number of lightly injured at around 10 and notes that an airlift was arranged for the most seriously wounded casualty. No fatalities have been reported.
The Red Intervention Plan was activated, and for managing the emergency situation one multiple-victim transport vehicle, two SMURD ambulances, four County Ambulance Service ambulances, two extrication vehicles, and two operational work vehicles were allocated. The mission is dynamic.
Aftermath
Once the situation was brought under control, the Red Intervention Plan was deactivated. Police secured the perimeter and are investigating the circumstances of the collision. The area around Drajna, a commune roughly 60 km east of Bucharest, is a known transit corridor and the accident occurred during daytime hours.
