Students injured in Palaichori school bus collision

On Tuesday, March 10, a school bus transporting students from Palaichori to a regional gymnasium collided with a private vehicle on the road between Agios Epifanios and Palaichori. The accident resulted in injuries to 13 people, with several children transferred to hospitals, including Makarios Hospital, for medical treatment. Tasos Michaelides, the community leader of Palaichori, stated that the collision likely occurred because the driver of the private car lost consciousness while en route to a medical appointment. A last-second maneuver by the bus driver reportedly reduced the impact force, while the modern 2025-model bus features seat belts that further limited injuries. Local officials expressed significant frustration regarding the emergency response, highlighting that the area lacks a dedicated, nearby ambulance station. Residents noted that the regional healthcare infrastructure is inadequate, with the only available ambulance service based in Klirou often overwhelmed by demand. Michaelides criticized the state authorities for neglecting the safety and emergency needs of the mountain communities.