On Wednesday morning, a devastating school bus accident in the Al Rusaiss area of Izki, located in Oman’s Dakhliyah Governorate, claimed the lives of four individuals, including three young schoolchildren—and left twelve others injured. The incident has raised serious concerns about road safety, especially for children commuting to school.
Details of the Accident
According to an official statement by the Royal Oman Police (ROP), the accident occurred around 7:44 a.m. when a school bus carrying children from kindergarten to fourth grade collided with a stationary object and overturned. The driver of the bus, aged 20, was pronounced dead at the scene alongside three boys aged 6, 9, and 10. The ROP described the sequence of events in an interview with Times of Oman: “While the driver was travelling from the Qalat Al Awamer area towards Izki, the vehicle swerved to the right upon reaching the accident site, collided with a lamppost, then veered off the road and caught fire.” Emergency responders arrived quickly to the scene, where the overturned bus and scattered debris partially blocked the roadway. They provided immediate assistance and transferred the injured to nearby hospitals for treatment.
Injuries and Hospital Response
Twelve schoolchildren sustained injuries ranging from minor to severe. The Ministry of Health acted swiftly, activating its emergency response plan and coordinating with local hospitals to handle the influx of patients.
- Nizwa Reference Hospital received:
- 1 deceased (black case)
- 4 critical (red cases)
- 7 serious (yellow cases)
- Izki Hospital received:
- 3 deceased (black cases)
- 3 minor injuries (green cases)
Among the injured, two children with moderate injuries were taken to Izki Hospital, while six with moderate injuries and five with severe injuries were transported to Nizwa Reference Hospital for more advanced care. The Ministry of Health expressed its deepest condolences to the families of the victims and wished the injured a swift recovery.
Local Reactions and Investigation
Younis Al Mandhari, the representative of the Wilayat of Izki in the Shura Council, told local media: “The causes of the accident are still unknown and have not yet been published by the Royal Oman Police. The road where the accident occurred is paved, smooth, and passable, with no apparent issues.” He further explained, “The accident happened when the bus hit a fixed object, a lamppost, and then overturned below the elevated road. Three deaths have been confirmed so far, in addition to the bus driver. Twelve people were injured with varying degrees of severity. Six of them, who sustained serious injuries, were transferred to Nizwa Hospital, while the rest with moderate to minor injuries were taken to Izki Hospital.” The Royal Oman Police released a formal statement extending condolences to the families and affirming that investigations are ongoing to “uncover the full details behind the accident.”
Road Safety Concerns in Oman
This tragic event has reignited concerns about road safety in Oman, particularly regarding the safety of school transportation. Despite notable improvements in infrastructure and enforcement of traffic laws across the country, this accident highlights persistent challenges in protecting young passengers on the road. Authorities have pledged to examine all factors involved in the crash to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
