A passenger died and three more were hospitalized in serious condition after a bus accident in Bucharest earlier on Friday, the Greek Foreign Affairs ministry said.

The Greek embassy in Romania's capital said that the bus carried 48 Greeks, including the driver. Twenty-four of the passengers were transported to local hospitals for check-ups and first aid, after the emergency sector of Romania's Interior ministry was notified.

The Greek foreign ministry said, "Of the total, 3 are in serious condition and in hospital. Unfortunately, one of the passengers has died. The rest of the passengers have been transferred to a hotel. Embassy staff in Bucharest rushed to the site and to the hospitals where the above Greek citizens were admitted." It added that some embassy staff remained at the hospitals for assistance.

The ministry expressed its condolences to the family of the passenger who died and the get well wishes to those injured. It also said it was in continuous contact with the embassy in Bucharest for updates.

According to media reports, the accident occurred when the bus hit an overhead post with speed, while the Romanian Health ministry said in a statement cited by Associated Press that some of the passengers had to be freed from the bus. It added that 10 ambulances were sent to the site for emergency health care.

Romanian news agency Agerpres said that "10 passengers are conscious and collaborative; 2 of them will remain hospitalized, in the neurosurgery and chest surgery departments, respectively."

From Volos

The tourist bus involved in the accident left the central Greek Volos on Thursday afternoon, according to the travel office that is based in Larissa, also in central Greece.

The travel agency said that 6 passengers got on at Volos, 24 at Larissa (including 22 customers and 2 office staff), and 17 at Thessaloniki. They planned to celebrate Christmas in Bucharest. The office said it remained in touch with authorities in the Romanian capital, collecting information for the closest kin of the passengers.

FM Dendias

Greek Foreign Affairs Minister Nikos Dendias has contacted Greek Ambassador to Romania Sophia Grammata, after the Greek bus accident, requesting that the embassy help out.

According to a statement by the Greek Foreign ministry, Dendias requested that embassy staff remain by the side of those injured and their relatives for as long as necessary.

"In addition, the Foreign minister spoke with relatives of the injured, conveying his wishes for a speedy recovery and his assurance that the Greek embassy will assist them in every possible way," the statement said, adding that Dendias "reiterated his great sadness for the loss of a Greek citizen's life."

The ministry also said that the FM spoke with his Romanian counterpart Bogdan Aurescu to "thank him for the speedy response of Romanian authorities and the excellent collaboration they have with the Greek embassy in Bucharest in managing this difficult situation."

The bus had left Volos for Bucharest on Thursday afternoon, with 48 Greek passengers including the driver. The accident occurred midday on Friday when the bus went through a low barrier that sheared its top half, according to media reports.

Info numbers

Further information can be provided at the following ministry telephone numbers, 210 368 1730 and 210 368 1350 (cryptographic service).

(Story updated)