On Sunday, a head-on collision between a tourist bus heading to the Marmore Falls and a motorhome occurred on state road 79 "Ternana" near Colli sul Velino in the province of Rieti, Lazio. Preliminary reports indicate the motorhome crossed into the opposite lane, after which the bus left the road and other vehicles were involved. Three cars were involved, one of which overturned. The bus was carrying more than 60 passengers.
Casualty figures vary by source: some report six dead and 34 injured, others six dead and 27 injured, others six dead and 26 injured, and still others seven dead and about thirty injured. Among the dead are four in the bus, including the driver, and two in the motorhome. Some sources name the victims: bus driver Federico Romualdi, motorhome driver Giampiero Colasanti, and his companion Daniela Bellanca.
The seriously injured were airlifted to hospitals in Rome, Rieti, and Terni. Among the injured is a child taken to a clinic, whose life is not in danger. The road was closed in both directions. The Terni prosecutor's office has opened a case for multiple vehicular homicide and negligent bodily harm. A hypothesis of sudden illness of the motorhome driver is being considered, which an autopsy on both drivers should clarify. Authorities are examining dashcam footage, and an emergency operations center has been set up in Terni. The road was reopened at night, and the vehicles were seized.
According to updated data from the Terni prefecture, 45 people were involved in the accident: 34 were injured, 19 have already been discharged, and 15 remain under medical observation, two in serious condition. Five were unharmed and accommodated in a hotel. A hotline has been opened for relatives. According to Italian media, one of the injured is in critical condition at a hospital in Perugia, and three are in serious condition. According to preliminary data from Croatian media, the accident may have been caused by severe weather. According to Montenegrin media, versions about human error and speeding are also being considered, and the accident occurred during a period of increased traffic due to the tourist season.