The European Games faced problems in their inaugural edition.

Three Austrian female swimmers were hit by a bus in the Athletes' Village and suffered serious injuries while traveling to Azerbaijan for the first European Games.

Of the three young female athletes involved in the accident, one is in a coma and may be paralyzed. In connection with the accident, Azerbaijani authorities have arrested the bus driver.

Driver Veli Ahmadov is accused of violating traffic laws by driving a bus while intoxicated within the Athletes' Village in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan and host city of the first European Games.

Fifteen-year-old synchronized swimmer Vanessa Sahinovic was the most seriously injured in the bus collision on June 11th, just before the opening of the 50-nation European Games. She was in a coma due to multiple fractures, including her spine.

Sahinovic is in a deep coma following a bus accident in the Athletes' Village in Baku.

Sahinovic subsequently underwent a 10-hour surgery in Vienna, Austria, after being flown back home from Azerbaijan. A hospital spokesperson said she may require further surgeries. Doctors have not yet been able to rule out the possibility of varying degrees of paralysis.

Luna Pajer suffered a fractured elbow. The other athlete, Verena Breit, only sustained bruising and was able to continue participating in the Games.

According to Azerbaijani media, alcohol was most likely the cause of the serious accident, as they witnessed several staff members intoxicated while on duty in the athletes' village.

The first European Games took place from June 12 to 28, with over 6,000 athletes competing in 253 events across 20 sports.

According to VNE