2007 Press Releases

Update on Local Bus Crash

June 12, 2007

On Monday June 11 at approximately 17:30 local time, there was a serious accident involving a passenger bus carrying 34 Americans near Tarcin, Bosnia.  Tarcin is located approximately 20 minutes south of Sarajevo near Konjic.

Twenty-eight of the American passengers on the bus were reported to have injuries ranging from minor to serious. No deaths were reported. The American passengers were evacuated by Bosnian authorities to local hospitals.  Most of the injured passengers were treated and released, although 17 Americans remained hospitalized overnight at Sarajevo’s Kosevo Hospital.

On Tuesday, June 12, eight remained in the hospital while the rest of the group either continued on to Medugorije or temporarily remained in Sarajevo.

American consular officials continue to assist the American Citizens involved in the accident, and Ambassador McElhaney visited them in Bosnian hospitals yesterday evening and today.  Those not hospitalized were provided with appropriate overnight accommodations.

The group of Americans is from Wisconsin and was en route to Medugorje, Bosnia for a religious pilgrimage.

The American Embassy is monitoring the situation closely and assisting the American citizens.  U.S. consular personnel are in touch with family members as needed.  At this stage we are reporting no further information, which is subject to U.S. Privacy Act restrictions.

Public inquiries about the accident can be directed to the U.S. State Department at (888) 407-4747.

U.S. Media inquiries can be directed to the State Department Press Office at (202) 647-2492.

Callers within Bosnia and Herzegovina can direct their calls to the U.S. Embassy Sarajevo at (387) 33-445-700.