On Saturday, May 11, 2024, a tragic bus accident in St Petersburg, Russia, claimed the lives of seven individuals. The incident occurred on the Potseluev Bridge, which spans the Moika River in the city’s historic center, on a Friday afternoon.
Video footage from the scene captured the heart-wrenching moments as the bus swerved off its designated path, colliding with two vehicles before breaching the bridge’s guardrails. It then plummeted into the river below, submerging almost instantaneously.
In the aftermath of the catastrophe, authorities promptly apprehended the bus driver and launched a thorough criminal investigation to unravel the circumstances leading to this devastating event. On Friday evening, Russia’s investigative body updated the casualty count via a Telegram communication. This update superseded earlier reports indicating that four passengers had sustained critical injuries, while two others had suffered severe injuries.
According to initial estimates, approximately 20 passengers were aboard the bus when the fateful crash occurred. The incident transpired as the driver attempted to navigate the bus onto the bridge from Bolshaya Morskaya Street. Footage subsequently released by authorities depicted rescue teams employing heavy machinery to extract the submerged bus from the river. The Emergency Ministry has since declared the conclusion of the rescue operations.
The Potseluev Bridge, situated in the heart of St Petersburg, is approximately 1.5 kilometers from the renowned Hermitage Museum. As investigations continue, the community mourns the loss of lives and extends heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims.
