A fatal collision between a Ukrainian-driven van and a Russian-operated truck occurred early morning on 30 July near Slovene Konjice on the route toward Ljubljana, Slovenian broadcaster RTV SLO reported.

The van carried seven passengers when it struck the truck’s trailer, according to RTV SLO. Five occupants of the van died in the crash, while two injured passengers were transported to hospital. Emergency services airlifted one of the survivors.

Police identified four of the deceased as Ukrainian citizens, RTV SLO reported. One hospitalized passenger also holds Ukrainian citizenship, while authorities continue working to establish the identity of the second injured person.

The Ukrainian van driver sustained minor injuries in the collision, while the Russian truck driver remained unharmed, according to the broadcaster.

Police preliminary findings point to excessive speed as the cause of the accident. The highway remained closed for five hours following the crash.