The traffic accident near Fundul-Galbenei village was caused by a Chisinau man, 34, who drove his Volkswagen on the other side of the road for an overtaking maneuver before crashing head-on into a minibus full of passengers heading to Basarabeasca.

A spokesperson for the General Police Inspectorate told IPN the man will likely face criminal charges.

The National Center for Medical Emergencies issued a code red intervention alert in connection with the accident.

The Ministry of Health said four ambulances were dispatched to the scene from the town of Hâncești, a few kilometers away.

Twenty-one persons, including three children, required hospitalization. Two children are in critical to extremely critical conditions. Of the adults, three are in critical condition.