DUBAI — Dubai police say seven people have been killed and 35 injured when a bus crashed into a truck on one of the sheikhdom’s main highways. Police say the crash took place on Tuesday morning.
Investigators say the bus driver lost control and smashed into a truck. The crash trapped some of the injured inside of the bus.
Video posted online by Dubai police showed rescuers cutting through the bus to reach those hurt.
The incident happened at 8 a.m. on Alyalais Street between Mohammad Bin Zayed Road and Shaikh Zayed Road, Dubai Police said.
Eighteen victims were taken to the Al Zahra Hospital, with one man succumbing to injuries, said Mohaymen Abdelghany, the hospital’s CEO. He said the victims were Indians and Pakistanis.
Brigadier Saif Muhair Al Mazroui, director of Traffic Department in Dubai police said some of the injured were air-lifted to Rashid hospital due to serious injuries.
“The bus was carrying 41 passengers, including the driver who lost control of the vehicle,” Brigadier Al Mazroui told Gulf News.
A total of 22 people were trapped inside the bus and the lorry driver was also rescued from the cabin.
The accident brought parts of Dubai to a standstill, with exits being closed and traffic being diverted to alternative routes.
Heavy traffic congestion was still reported at 11am along Al Yalayis Street towards Jebel Ali and Abu Dhabi, due to the debris spilled on the road caused by the accident.
Heavy tailbacks were also reported after Jumeirah Village Triangle towards Abu Dhabi.
Authorities urged motorists to avoid the area and take alternative routes if possible.
Serious traffic crashes with multiple fatalities are rare in Dubai, the commercial capital of the United Arab Emirates.
However, drivers routinely speed and tailgate others on the country’s multi-lane thoroughfares. — Agencies
