Abyan, Yemen – Sixteen people were killed on Tuesday in a horrific collision between a heavy truck and a Toyota HiAce passenger bus on the road linking Al-Mahfad district and Lahmar area, east of Abyan governorate, southern Yemen, according to local medical sources.
Details of the Accident
Eyewitnesses stated that the bus caught fire immediately after the collision, resulting in its complete destruction and the deaths of the victims, including a woman and her child. Medical sources reported that 11 of the victims were completely charred, and all the bodies were transferred to Lawdar Hospital.
Survivors and the circumstances of the accident
Authorities were able to rescue only one survivor from the bus, while some bodies were so badly burned that identification was difficult. Emergency teams confirmed that the fire spread rapidly due to a fuel leak from the truck following the head-on collision.
Emergency and ambulance teams intervene
Civil defense teams arrived at the scene immediately after being notified, but faced difficulty controlling the fire due to its rapid spread and the large area affected. All efforts were directed towards rescuing any potential survivors and securing the road to prevent further incidents.
repercussions of the incident
This accident is among the deadliest road accidents in Abyan Governorate this year, sparking public outrage over road safety, particularly concerning heavy buses and roads in remote areas. Local authorities have called for a review of road safety procedures and stricter enforcement against heavy vehicles to prevent such tragedies from recurring.
This accident highlights the fragility of Yemen’s road infrastructure and the urgent need for authorities to strengthen safety standards and reduce fatal accidents that result in significant loss of life.
