Romanian Tragedy in Montenegro

The Montenegro holiday of 47 Romanian tourists turned into a tragedy after the coach that was carrying them had fallen into a ravine north of Podgorica. Bucharest decided Romania would hold a day of national mourning on Wednesday for the victims.

Leyla Cheamil, 25.06.2013, 17:31

Wonderful scenery, relaxation and fun, what should have been an unforgettable holiday in Montenegro turned into an unimaginable tragedy for 47 Romanians, after their coach Sunday had fallen from a bridge into a ravine, some 30 km north of Podgorica.

Large boulders falling over the coach made the situation even more desperate. The mountain area the Romanian tourists were crossing is in fact notorious for traffic accidents because of its narrow and winding roads. The death toll was 18, and most survivors were injured. The Montenegro locals were quick to react.

Many locals showed up to help the firefighters, military and mountain rescue teams that came to pull the wreckage of the bus out of the ravine, and others donated blood for the injured. After the news had reached Bucharest, Prime Minister Victor Ponta set up a task force to handle the situation. Military aircraft were sent to bring the victims home, in what has been the largest medical air intervention conducted by the National Defence Ministry, according to Minister Mircea Dusa.

Romanian Foreign Minister, Titus Corlatean, cancelled his plans to attend a summit in Luxembourg and traveled to Montenegro to coordinate the rescue operations conducted jointly by the Romanian and Montenegrin teams. He was received by President Filip Vujanovic, who sent his condolences, on behalf of the Montenegrin people, to the Romanian victims. Titus Corlatean thanked the Montenegro authorities and citizens for their prompt support. Romania will hold a day of national mourning for the victims of the tragedy, on Wednesday.