The UAE Ministry of Interior confirmed on Saturday that 10 Emiratis and four nationals of India were killed in the Fujairah road disaster that left 30 others injured, following formal identification of all 14 victims.
The announcement established the nationalities of those who died in the collision involving 23 vehicles on Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Road, where a truck overturned and a fire spread to other vehicles. Federal prosecutors are investigating the circumstances and potential legal liability.
The ministry said the injured comprised eight Emiratis, seven nationals of India, six Omanis, three Egyptians, two Jordanians, two Pakistanis and two Brazilians. The figures bring the total number of people killed or injured to 44, spanning several nationalities.
The official identification represents a change from the first information issued after the crash, when authorities could confirm the number of deaths but not the nationality of every person killed. The subsequent verification has clarified the composition of the fatalities without altering the previously announced death toll or the total number of people reported injured.
The identification followed forensic procedures undertaken after the accident, when authorities said some of the dead could not immediately be identified. DNA testing formed part of the effort to establish the victims’ identities. The ministry did not release their names in its Saturday statement.
The Federal Public Prosecution has ordered technical examinations, laboratory testing and inspections of the crash site to determine how the collisions unfolded and establish responsibility. Attorney General Dr Hamad Saif Al Shamsi directed prosecutors to attend the scene and oversee the necessary investigative and legal procedures.
Preliminary findings described two consecutive accidents on the E66 road heading towards Fujairah. The first involved a vehicle striking a stationary truck. The second involved a truck carrying two shipping containers that collided with several vehicles before overturning, according to the account issued by authorities.
The collisions occurred in an area where the right-hand lane had been closed for maintenance work. Investigators are examining the sequence of events, including the movement of vehicles through the affected section of road. The initial findings do not amount to a final determination of the cause or responsibility.
Fujairah Police had earlier said a truck driver lost control near the entrance to the emirate shortly before midnight, striking another vehicle and then several vehicles caught in slow-moving traffic. A fire broke out and spread among the damaged vehicles, complicating the emergency response.
The accident involved 18 cars and five trucks, police said. The scale of the collision required the deployment of police officers, ambulance personnel, Civil Defence crews and other specialist responders to provide medical assistance, control the fire and secure the surrounding area.
Emergency teams administered first aid at the scene and transported injured people to hospitals. The authorities said their response included securing the road and carrying out the necessary procedures to allow investigators and technical teams to examine the damaged vehicles and the accident location.
An earlier police update said 15 injured people had been discharged from hospital after receiving treatment, while another 15 remained under medical care. The ministry’s Saturday announcement confirmed the overall injury total but did not provide a revised breakdown of hospital admissions or the condition of individual patients.
The Ministry of Interior renewed its appeal for motorists to comply strictly with traffic regulations, particularly speed limits and safe following distances. It warned drivers to remain attentive to sudden reductions in traffic speed and vehicles stopped ahead, especially on roads affected by congestion or changing conditions.
The ministry described road safety as a shared responsibility and urged motorists to exercise caution to prevent further casualties. Its warning followed the disclosure of the victims’ nationalities and the continuation of the formal investigation into the multiple collisions.
Officials have also appealed to the public to rely on verified information and avoid circulating rumours or unconfirmed accounts about the crash. The authorities said coordination between the ministry, prosecutors and other agencies would continue as the required legal and administrative procedures were completed.
The ministry expressed condolences to the families of those killed and wished the injured a speedy recovery. It said the privacy of affected families would be respected while the relevant authorities continued handling the aftermath of the accident.
Related Posts
Add A Comment