Miscellaneous

17 killed in bus crash in Dubai

Seventeen people were killed in a horrific bus crash in Al Rashidiya, Dubai, yesterday (June 6).
 
Twelve of the killed were Indians, said a Khaleej Times report. Two Pakistani nationals, one Omani and an Irish national are also said to be among those killed. 
 
The Oman-registered bus -- a Mwasalat vehicle transporting people between Dubai and Muscat -- was travelling along Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Road, carrying 31 passengers, when it crashed into a signboard at Al Rashidiya exit at 5.40pm.
 
Consul General of India to Dubai Vipul has confirmed the total death toll of Indians in the accident has risen to 12. "We have confirmed 12 Indian deaths in total," Khaleej Times quoted him as saying. "Our teams have been working with the respective Dubai government departments to ensure paperwork is completed as soon as possible." Repatriations of bodies are expected to begin tomorrow, said Vipul.
 
Jamaludeen Arakkaveettil, an employee of a Dubai- based media firm, was among those who died in the accident. According to Jamal's colleagues, he had travelled to Oman to visit a friend as his wife and daughters reside back home in Kerala. His colleague said, "We saw him last week before the holidays began. He wished Eid Mubarak to everyone and left." Efforts are underway to repatriate his body back to India.
 
The Consulate General of India tweeted earlier today, "We are sorry to inform that as per local authorities and relatives it is so far confirmed that eight Indians have passed away in Dubai bus accident. Consulate is in touch with relatives of some of the deceased and awaits further details for others to inform their families."
 
Omani bus transport company Mwasalat issued a statement on Twitter announcing the suspension of their daily E05 services between Muscat and Dubai, and vice versa, until further notice. The service provider confirmed that the E05 service, which ran daily services, has been taken in coordination with Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in Dubai. The statement said, "Mwasalat family expresses its deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and wishes a speedy recovery to the injured."