At least 13 people, including three children, were killed when a passenger minibus collided with a car and a logging truck in Russia’s northwestern Arkhangelsk region, authorities said.

The crash occurred at around 7:22 p.m. local time on Friday on the M-8 Kholmogory federal highway,

Preliminary investigations indicate that the passenger minibus, travelling from Severodvinsk toward Bereznik, attempted to overtake a Nissan passenger car before moving into the oncoming lane and colliding with a Renault logging truck.

The force of the impact sent the vehicles off the road and caused extensive damage. The latest official information said 13 people died, including the minibus driver, 11 of its passengers and the truck driver.

The number of injured was initially unclear, but regional health authorities later said 20 people were injured, with eight passengers from the minibus hospitalized. Five patients were reported to be in serious condition, while another was in extremely serious condition.

A 13-year-old boy was among those hospitalized and was reported to be in stable condition after suffering facial injuries and a suspected mild traumatic brain injury. Another injured passenger underwent emergency surgery.

Emergency crews responded rapidly to the crash, with 39 personnel and 15 specialized vehicles involved in the rescue and recovery operation. Nine ambulance teams, including intensive-care units, were also deployed to transport the injured to hospitals in Arkhangelsk.

The Investigative Committee has opened two criminal investigations, including a case concerning the provision of services that failed to meet safety requirements and another involving alleged violations of traffic and vehicle-operation rules that resulted in multiple deaths. Investigators are examining the circumstances of the collision and have appealed to witnesses and motorists who may have dashcam footage.

Authorities also temporarily introduced traffic controls around the crash site. Road traffic was fully restored at about 4 a.m. Saturday, according to regional officials.

Arkhangelsk Region Governor Alexander Tsybulsky declared September 12 a regional day of mourning for those killed in the crash. Authorities said psychological support and other assistance would be provided to the families of victims and injured passengers.

Investigators continue to examine the precise circumstances of the crash, including the overtaking maneuver that preliminary findings identified as the apparent trigger for the collision. (ILKHA)