The death toll from a traffic accident in western Ukraine has increased to 26, authorities announced Wednesday, adding to the country's agony.

On Tuesday in the western Rivne area, a bus collided with a gasoline tanker in President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's "terrible road accident."

"The accident claimed the lives of a total of 26 people: 24 passengers and two drivers," police said in a statement, adding that 12 others were injured.

According to the statement, authorities attempted to identify three people murdered in the event. The youngest victim among the passengers on the bus headed to Poland was 17 years old.

The disaster did not appear to be connected directly to Russia's ongoing war with Ukraine, and Zelenskyy did not mention it in his presentation.

Russia has concentrated its attacks on southern and eastern Ukraine in recent weeks, although targeting facilities in western Ukraine on occasion.