12 Indians among 17 killed in Oman-Dubai bus accident

Twelve Indians were among at least 17 people who were killed when a bus from Oman crashed into a road sign in the United Arab Emirates, Union external affairs minister S Jaishankar said on Friday.

“Deeply grieved by the unfortunate bus accident in Dubai that has claimed 12 Indian lives. My sincere condolences to the families. Our Consulate @cgidubai is extending all help,” tweeted Jaishankar.

The Indian consulate in Dubai had initially put the number of dead at six in the accident on Thursday evening but updated the toll later.

“We are sorry to inform that as per local authorities and relatives it is so far confirmed that 8 Indians have passed away in Dubai bus accident. Consulate is in touch with relatives of some of the deceased & awaits further details for others to inform their families,” the consulate said on Twitter.

The dead include Rajagopalan, Feroz Khan Pathan, Reshma Feroz Khan Pathan, Deepak Kumar, Jamaludeen Arakkaveettil, Kiran Johnny, Vasudev and Tilakram Jawahar Thakur, it tweeted.

“4 Indians were discharged after first aid and three are receiving treatment in Rashid hospital,” the consulate had tweeted earlier.

Police in Dubai announced the death toll in tweets early on Friday.

Reports said that Mwasalat, a government-owned bus company in Oman, said the crash involving its Muscat-to-Dubai route happened at 6pm on Thursday on Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road.

The bus company has said it would suspend the service for the immediate future, according to agencies.

(With agency inputs)

First Published: Jun 07, 2019 08:33 IST