A passenger bus crashed into the Oued El Harrach river in Algiers, Algeria, on Friday, August 15, killing 18 people and injuring nine others after skidding off a bridge. The accident occurred around 5:46 p.m. local time in the Mohammadia district of east Algiers.
Lieutenant Nasim Bernawi, deputy director of statistics and information at the country’s Civil Protection Directorate, confirmed the death toll to local media. Two of the injured passengers were in critical condition but have been stabilized before being transferred to local hospitals. The deceased were transported to the hospital mortuary.
Emergency response teams deployed 25 ambulances, 16 divers, and four rescue boats to the scene. Search operations for additional victims continued into Friday night. Local residents jumped into the ravine to help rescue passengers from the wreckage before Civil Defense personnel arrived at the scene.
Footage from the crash site showed first responders in red boats and various vehicles surrounding the water as they coordinated rescue efforts and eventually brought the bus back to solid ground. Images revealed extensive damage to the white bus, including dents along the top and sides, broken doors, shattered windows, and several missing parts.
Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune announced a day-long national mourning period beginning Friday evening, along with the lowering of the national flag. In a statement published by the Algeria Press Service, Tebboune offered his condolences to the victims’ families and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.
Tebboune expressed profound sorrow over the incident, stating: “With profound sorrow, I pay tribute to the memory of our fellow citizens who died in this tragic accident.” The President extended his sincere condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for patience and solace for their loved ones.
General Said Chanegriha of the Algerian People’s National Army visited victims on Saturday, August 16, making stops at the Army Central Hospital in Ain Naadja, the Salim Zemirli Specialized Hospital in El Harrach, and Mustapha Bacha University Hospital Center.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation, with authorities not immediately providing details about what led to the bus skidding off the bridge. The incident represents one of the deadliest road disasters in Algeria in recent years.
Road accidents occur frequently in Algeria due to poor road conditions, speeding, and mechanical failures that often lead to fatal incidents. In 2023, a bus crash killed at least 34 people and injured 12 after a collision with a commercial vehicle that burst into flames on an Algerian highway.
Last October, Algeria recorded two similar accidents in the southern provinces of Ouargla and Naama, resulting in 18 passenger deaths and 20 injuries. The country has faced ongoing challenges with transportation safety on its roadways.
The Friday incident in El Harrach prompted an extensive emergency response that stretched well into the evening hours. Rescue workers used boats to navigate the river while coordinating with ground teams to recover the bus and search for any additional victims who might have been trapped.
The Oued El Harrach river, where the bus plunged, runs through the capital city of Algiers. The Mohammadia district, where the accident occurred, is located in the eastern part of the city. The bridge crossing represents a critical transportation link for the area’s residents and commuters.
Multiple hospitals in the Algiers area received the injured passengers, with medical teams working to stabilize those in critical condition. The Civil Protection Directorate coordinated the medical response alongside the search and rescue operations at the crash site.
President Tebboune’s declaration of national mourning reflects the significant impact of the tragedy on the Algerian people. The lowering of flags and official mourning period demonstrate the government’s recognition of the loss suffered by the affected families and the broader community.
The incident highlights ongoing concerns about road safety infrastructure and transportation regulations in Algeria. Emergency response protocols were activated immediately after the crash was reported, with multiple agencies coordinating rescue efforts throughout the night.
