At least 24 killed in UAE bus accident < br />

2013-02-05 11:57:35 GMT+7 (ICT)

AL AIN, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (BNO NEWS) -- At least 24 people were confirmed dead after a passenger bus collided with a cargo truck in th united Arab Emirates (UAE), local authorities said Monday.

The accident occurred shortly before 8 a.m. local time when a bus carrying dozens of Asian workers collided head-on with the heavy truck near Sih Sabra in Al Ain, approximately 160 kilometers (100 miles) east of Abu Dhabi, the UAE's capital.

Initial reports said 22 people had been killed with 24 injured, but local authorities later increased the death toll to 24. The fatal victims were transported to the Al Ain Hospital, while some of the injured were also taken to the Tawam Hospital. All of the victims were reported Asian, but their nationalities were not immediately known.

Traffic and Patrols Directorate chief at Abu Dhabi Police, Brigadier General Hussein Ahmed Al Harthi, spoke with the press, saying the large lorry, which was carrying concrete collided with the bus after the vehicle's breaks malfunctioned. The lorry then overturned and landed on the bus.

As investigations continue, the accident is being considered the worst in the history of UAE.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2013-02-05

Probably the usual poorly-trained (if at all) subcontinent driver having no idea of inertia of a loaded lorry at high speed.

Shame it was a bus that got hit this time.