A minibus fell into the Danube River after colliding with another car on a viaduct in the southern Romanian county of Mehedince, reports the news site "Hotnews", quoted by NOVA and BTA, adding that the so-called Red Intervention Plan has been activated.
Ambulances, police and firefighters, as well as a team of divers from the city of Reşișta, have arrived at the scene to help search for possible victims. The head of the Romanian Department of Emergency Situations and creator of the emergency assistance system, Dr. Raed Arafat, announced that the passport of a 53-year-old Bulgarian citizen had been found, BTA correspondent in Bucharest Martina Gancheva reported.
An underwater drone was also involved in the search.
"Digi 24" TV reported that divers had found the sunken minibus and found one victim, believed to be the driver. It is not known whether there were passengers in the vehicle or whether the driver was alone.
It is believed that the minibus went off the road after trying to avoid a collision with another vehicle and fell into the river. The driver of the car involved in the accident was taken to hospital.
The prefect of Mehedinci district indicated that the minibus had completely sunk to a depth of 10 meters and was not visible in the waters of the Danube.
The head of the Department of Emergency Situations, Raed Arafat, said that there could be up to two victims - either just the driver, or him and another person. But he stressed that at this stage the incident will be treated as if there were more people in the vehicle.
"Unfortunately, after such a long stay underwater, I don't think there is a chance of survival", Arafat added.