In Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula, a bus burst into flames after being overturned last Friday, killing 6 Mexican tourists and leaving 25 people injured. The accident occurred on a route between Martyr Ahmed Hamdi tunnel and the Saint Catherine’s Monastery, a religious vacation tourist spot. 12 ambulances were sent to attend to the tourists’ casualties. They have been brought to Sharm El-Sheikh International Hospital for their initial medical treatment.
The accident occurred due to high-speed driving as reported by a security official, who requested anonymity due to the fact that he was not authorized to talk to the media. Furthermore, the ill-maintained roads and negligent enforcement of traffic laws added to the risk of the bus accident happening.
The Foreign Affairs Ministry reported that Mexican officials have already communicated with the country’s authorities regarding the accident. María Carmen Oñate Muñoz, the Mexican Ambassador in Egypt, has contacted the local authorities to find out the details of the accident.
The Ministry on Foreign Affairs, on the other hand, expressed their deepest sympathy and grief. They stated that they will provide assistance in bringing the bodies back to Mexico. José Antonio Meade, the head of the Ministry, has already been working on identifying the Mexicans who were involved in the accident.
Khaled Abou Hashem, South Sinai government’s head for emergency services, further added that the bus’s next destination was Dahab’s Red Sea Resort.
Meanwhile in India, a gas tanker collided with a luxury bus last Thursday, leaving at least 14 people dead and at least 36 others injured. The accident took place around 7 in the morning on Medvan Khind on Mumbai-Ahmedabad Highway, near Dahanu in Thane district. Among those who were killed were two children, six women, and eight men, which included the tanker driver Ram Yadav and the bus driver who has not yet been identified. The bodies were brought to Kasa Hospital. Meanwhile, the 36 injured people, which included 27 women, six girls and eight boys were brought to three hospitals for medical treatment. Those hospitals were Sion Hospital, Thane Civil Hospital and Bhagwati Hospital in Malad, Mumbai.
Bharat Chowdhary, Kasa police station’s assistant inspector, reported that the tanker lost control while coming around a curve. The tanker then crossed the road divider and hit the bus, which was coming from Mumbai, the opposite direction. The impact was so powerful that the side of the bus was torn off.
Since the tanker was not overloaded, it was not clear whether the accident happened due to a mechanical or human failure. Because of this, the Regional Transport Office inspection will be the deciding factor about the main cause of the accident.