A devastating collision between a bus and a pickup truck on a highway in southern Algeria has resulted in a significant loss of life. Thirty-four individuals perished in the incident, while twelve others sustained injuries. The Algerian Civil Protection service reported that the crash, which occurred around 4 a.m. local time in the Tamanrasset province within the Sahara Desert, led to a massive fire engulfing both vehicles. Tragically, all passengers were caught in the blaze.
Online images depicted a grim scene, with emergency responders transporting victims in body bags and the charred wreckage of the entangled bus and truck evident. The impact severely crushed the driver's side of the truck. Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the accident.
This tragic event follows another bus accident approximately two weeks prior in northern Algeria, which claimed eight lives and injured seventeen. Alarming statistics from the official APS news agency reveal a sobering trend: over 300 fatalities occurred in more than 11,000 traffic accidents across Algeria between May 1 and July 11 of this year.
