Boumerdès, Algeria(The COW News Digital) At least 25 people were killed and 44 others injured after a passenger bus veered off a highway and plunged into a ravine in northern Algeria, authorities said on Saturday.
The tragic accident occurred in Boumerdès Province when the bus reportedly lost control while traveling on a major highway before overturning down an embankment.
According to preliminary reports, the bus was traveling from Sétif to the capital city, Algiers, when the crash took place. Emergency response teams, including civil defense personnel, police officers, and medical crews, arrived at the scene shortly after the incident to carry out rescue operations.
The injured were transported to nearby hospitals for treatment. Officials said several victims remain in critical condition, raising concerns that the death toll could increase.
Authorities have begun the process of identifying those who lost their lives and are notifying their families. Emergency services continue to provide medical assistance to the injured while offering support to affected families.
Algerian authorities have ordered a formal investigation into the crash to determine its exact cause. While the circumstances remain under review, initial assessments suggest that speeding, loss of vehicle control, or poor road conditions may have contributed to the accident.
Road accidents remain a major public safety concern in Algeria. Officials have frequently attributed the country’s high number of traffic fatalities to excessive speeding, violations of traffic regulations, poorly maintained vehicles, and inadequate safety infrastructure on some highways.
The government said investigators will examine all available evidence, including the condition of the bus, the driver’s actions, and the state of the roadway, before releasing an official report.
Authorities have pledged to ensure the injured receive the best possible medical care while continuing efforts to support the victims’ families and determine the factors that led to one of the country’s deadliest road accidents in recent months.
