Deadly Algeria Crash
Deadly Algeria Bus Crash Kills 27, Injures Dozens; Nation Declares Three Days of Mourning
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Key Points
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The bus was traveling from Setif to Algiers and crashed in the El Karma locality in Boumerdes, about 50 kilometers east of Algiers.
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Prime Minister Sifi Ghrieb visited some of the injured at the University Hospital of Boumerdes, signaling high-level government involvement in the response.
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Toll figures varied across outlets: Health Minister Mohamed Seddik Ait Messaoudene said at least 27 people died and 39 were injured, while another report cited 25 dead and 44 injured.
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Witness Bilal Bensalem described finding victims in the ravine, with some dead and others still alive, and said some injuries were severe (including reports of severed hands).
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The Turkish foreign ministry expressed deep sorrow and extended condolences to the families of the deceased and to the Algerian people.
A passenger bus plunged into a ravine near Boumerdes, Algeria on Friday morning, killing at least 27 people and injuring dozens more, according to Al Jazeera. The bus was traveling from Setif to Algiers when it veered off a bypass road in the El Karma locality, about 50 kilometers east of the capital.
Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune declared three days of national mourning and vowed justice would follow the investigation, Head Topics reported. Officials called it one of the deadliest road crashes in recent Algerian history.
Bus Veers Off Road Into Ravine, Killing Dozens
The bus left the road for unknown reasons on Friday morning, Newscord reported. Authorities cited speeding as a possible factor. Witnesses also pointed to a dangerous turn near the crash site. Rescuers used a crane to pull the vehicle from the ravine, and photos from civil defence showed the bus on its side.
Health Minister Mohamed Seddik Ait Messaoudene confirmed at least 27 dead and 39 injured, according to Newscord. A separate report from GBC Ghana Online placed the toll at 25 dead and 44 injured. Rescue teams and ambulances were dispatched quickly to retrieve victims and transport the wounded.
Witness Describes Harrowing Scene in the Ravine
Witness Bilal Bensalem was among the first to reach the crash site. He described finding victims in the ravine — some already dead, others still alive. He said some injuries were severe, including reports of severed hands, according to Newscord.
The scene required a major emergency response. Ambulances ferried the injured to nearby hospitals as rescue workers continued searching for survivors. The scale of the tragedy drew immediate attention from Algeria's top officials.
Prime Minister Visits Injured as Government Mobilizes
Prime Minister Sifi Ghrieb traveled to the University Hospital of Boumerdes to visit injured survivors, signaling high-level government involvement in the response, GBC Ghana Online reported. His visit came as security services coordinated relief efforts on the ground.
President Tebboune ordered an investigation into the crash and promised that those responsible would face justice, according to Head Topics. The Turkish foreign ministry also responded, saying it felt "deep sorrow" and extending condolences to the families of the victims and to the Algerian people.
Algeria's Road Safety Crisis Back in the Spotlight
Algeria has long struggled with deadly road accidents. Officials described this crash as one of the worst in recent memory. Speeding and poor road conditions are frequently blamed in Algerian crash investigations. The Boumerdes bypass where the bus went off the road was flagged by witnesses as a known danger point.
Rescuers recovered the bus using a crane, LinkedIn reported. The operation required significant equipment and manpower. As of Friday, relief efforts were still ongoing, with authorities working to confirm the final death toll and identify all victims.
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