The bus with around 33 passengers departed from Istanbul and was reportedly its way to Tokat province. However, the exact number of passengers has not been officially announced yet as officials are still trying to identify the victims.

The truck was having a Georgian registration plate.

Large crews of medics and firefighters were quickly sent to the scene of the accident.

The wounded were taken by ambulance to nearby Osmancık State Hospital and Hitit University Çorum Training and Research Hospital. Officials expressed concern that the death toll could grow, due to severe injuries among surviving passengers.

The sources said that it was difficult to clarify the number of people who lost their lives because the bus was completely burnt.

Once the fire was brought under control, authorities opened an investigation into the cause of the accident.

Recalling the moments of the accident, Emine Güngör, one of the injured who survived with her baby, said: "Everyone was asleep in the vehicle. I was the only one awake since I was taking care of my child."

"Then with an explosion sound, all windows broke and the bus started to shake. The backside of the bus started burning amid people's screams. After that, a man broke the window and we managed to get outside. The ones who stepped out of the bus survived, while the others lost their lives," Güngör said.

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