7 die in Jebel Ali bus-truck collision
dubai — Seven people were killed and 35 injured in a collision between a truck and a bus in Dubai on Tuesday. The accident occurred at 8am on Al Jelis Street in Jebel Ali, in the direction of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road.
While the seven died instantly, 35 sustained injuries ranging from minor to severe in nature. The victims include four Indian nationals, two Nepalis, and one Pakistani.
Brigadier Saif Muhair Al Mazrouei, Director-General of the Dubai Police’s Traffic Department, said preliminary information indicates the accident was caused after one of the bus tyres burst, resulting in the driver losing control of the vehicle and entering the other side of the road before colliding with the truck. The bus was carrying 41 people, including the driver, which led to the high number of deaths and injuries. Brig Al Mazrouei pointed out that accidents involving heavy vehicles like trucks and buses have serious consequences and lead to severe loss of life and injuries.
A Nepalese worker, who was in the bus, said the vehicle spun around about four times after the tyre burst before hitting a truck that was coming in their direction.
“It all happened so suddenly. Some of the men had just had their
breakfast before boarding. Half way into our journey, the tyre burst and the bus went off its course and hit the truck. Everyone was screaming and next thing I know, my chin is bleeding. There were men trying to escape from the window. Some other men were unconscious,” he said.
“I was one of the lucky ones who escaped with minor injuries. But there were many who died. I feel very bad for them because they came to Dubai to earn as much as they can to support their families back home. It’s terrible.”
One dead person and six injured were brought to NMC Hospital in Dubai after the accident that took place early Tuesday morning.
An NMC spokesperson said the dead worker was an Indian national while the six injured belonged to Bangladesh, Nepal and India.
“One person is admitted to intensive care unit while another is in high dependency unit and both are in a critical condition,” said the spokesperson. Other four injured are stable and have been shifted to the ward. “They have trauma and multiple injuries.”
Vans and buses caused 133 accidents last year, killing 24 people and causing 258 injuries, while in the first quarter of this year, trucks and vans caused 49 accidents that led to the death of seven people and injuring to 100.
After Tuesday morning’s accident, patrols quickly arrived at the scene to organise traffic and facilitate the arrival of ambulances and rescue vehicles to help the victims. Air rescue was also carried out, taking the severely injured to hospital, while ambulances transported the rest.
Rescue teams extracted 22 passengers and the driver who were trapped in the bus. Brig-Gen Mohammed Nasser Abdul Razzaq Al Razouqi, director of the general department of the Dubai Police’s operations room, said the teams used hydraulic equipment to cut open the bus and truck.
After the accident, Brig-Gen Al Razouqi and a number of other officers went to the scene, along with the accident experts, to inspect the incident and collect evidence. Brig Mazrouei urged heavy vehicle drivers to comply with the regulations on traffic and vehicle safety.
amira@khaleejtimes.com