European Games suffers setback on first day

Three Austrian female swimmers were hit by a bus in the athletes' village and seriously injured while traveling to Azerbaijan to attend the first European Games.

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

Driver Veli Ahmadov was accused of violating traffic laws by driving a bus while drunk in 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 collision with a bus on June 11, just before the opening day of the 50-nation European Games. She was left in a coma, suffering multiple fractures, including her spine.

Sahinovic is in a deep coma after a bus accident in the athletes' village in Baku.

Sahinovic then underwent 10 hours of surgery in Vienna, Austria, after being flown home from Azerbaijan. A hospital spokesman said she may need more operations. Doctors have not yet ruled out the possibility of her being left with varying degrees of paralysis.

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

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

The first European Games took place from June 12 to 28, with the participation of more than 6,000 athletes competing in 253 events of 20 sports.

According to VNE