A Day of Mourning was declared in Mykolaiv for the 12 people who died in a traffic accident

A day of mourning was declared in Mykolaiv on Sunday, July 5, following a traffic accident that claimed the lives of 12 people. Among the victims were employees of “Mykolaivelektrotrans” and their family members.

This was announced by Vitaliy Kim, head of the Mykolaiv Regional State Administration.

On the Day of Mourning, state flags were flown at half-mast throughout the city, and entertainment events and public celebrations were canceled.

“This is a great loss for their families, for the company’s staff, and for our entire city,” said Vitaliy Kim.

City residents were urged to honor the memory of the deceased with a moment of silence and to refrain from loud music and entertainment.

What is known about the fatal traffic accident

The accident occurred on the morning of July 4 on the M-14 “Odesa-Melitopol-Novoazovsk” highway between the villages of Krasne and Nechayane in the Mykolaiv region.

According to preliminary police reports, a Mercedes Sprinter passenger minibus was traveling from Odesa toward Mykolaiv. At some point, the vehicle veered off the road, overturned, and ended up in the oncoming lane, where it collided with a Volvo truck.

Initially, law enforcement reported nine fatalities and eight injured. Later, the death toll rose to 12—three more of the injured died in the hospital.

According to witnesses, the driver of a Nissan Murano traveling toward the minibus may have been involved in the accident.

While inspecting the accident scene and collecting evidence, law enforcement determined that the Nissan driver likely violated traffic rules and veered into the oncoming lane, where the minibus carrying passengers was traveling.

After the accident, the driver of the car fled the scene. To locate him, the police launched a special operation and mobilized patrols throughout the region. Subsequently, law enforcement officers tracked down the driver of the car, who, according to investigators, may have caused the fatal accident.

Ірина Глухова