Karaman FK's Team Bus Catches Fire, 30 People Narrowly Escape

The fire broke out at around 08.30 in the morning, on the Karaman-Konya highway at the entrance to Karaman city. Karaman FK, competing in TFF 3rd League Group 3, had set off from Kazımkarabekir district in a municipal bus for its match against Yeni Mersin İdman Yurdu in Silifke.

The bus, driven by Memiş B., broke down and stopped about 1 kilometer before Karaman. The players noticed smoke coming from the rear and smelled burning, and they reported the situation to the driver. Because the electrical system had shut down, the doors would not open, and the driver struggled for a long time to open the door. Once it opened, the players and the technical staff were quickly evacuated from the vehicle. A short time after about 30 people had got off, the flames in the engine compartment grew and engulfed the bus.

Fire and police units were sent to the scene. The police took security measures on the road, and the fire was brought under control and extinguished by the fire brigade. The engine compartment of the bus was completely burned, and the vehicle became unusable. No one was injured in the incident. Karaman FK head coach Özgür Polat said they had experienced transport problems and were waiting for another bus. He added that the federation would decide whether the match would be played.

The Turkish Football Federation postponed the Yeni Mersin İdmanyurdu match, which was scheduled to be played today, because of the fire that broke out on the team bus during Karaman FK's away trip. An investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the fire.