5 workers die in horrific Dubai bus-truck collision

Dubai - Police officials urge motorists to indicate while changing lanes and driving safely.

Five people-all male, three Bangladeshis and two Indians - were killed and seven were injured in a horrific accident on Dubai's Rabat road early on Sunday morning.

Dubai Police rushed to the site of the accident early morning and shifted four people, who sustained moderate to minor injuries, to Rashid hospital.

The accident took place at Al Rabat road towards Al Garhoud after a company bus carrying 19 staff of Cleanco Cleaning Services & Building Maintenance collided with a bus, said Brigadier Saeed bin Suleiman, Director of Rashidya Police Station.

"Dubai Police was informed about the accident around 5am, after which the patrol and rescue teams rushed to the site. Four workers died on the spot while another seriously injured worker died in the hospital succumbing to his injuries," he added.

Friends and co-workers of those who died in the accident. Photo: Angel Tesorero/Khaleej Times

Elaborating on the rescue operation, the brigadier said the rescuers lifted the workers, trapped in the bus at the back after the collision, used hydraulic cutters to make an opening in the bus.

He praised the traffic and rescue teams' prompt response and efforts to rescue the injured.

Bin Suleiman urged drives to abide by traffic laws and to signal/indicate when changing lanes and to drive carefully on high ways.

He further added that making sudden turns without indicating is the main cause for accidents and road fatalities every year.

According to some witnesses, the coaster suddenly swerved and was hit by a truck. Friends and co-workers of those who died told Khaleej Times that 19 staff members were in the van when the accident happened. The driver was not injured. They were on their way to work at Dubai Festival City when the accident happened at around 5:10am.

Senior officials including, Mohamed Nasir, Deputy Director of Rescue, Major Ahmed bu Rouqaiba, Salah Bu Faroosha, Head of Dubai Traffic Prosecution and forensic experts and ambulance services were at the scene of the accident monitoring the rescue operation and further investigate the cause of the accident.

The bodies of the fatalities are at Rashid Hospital morgue.

"There are no words to describe my grief"

His face is forlorn. Shell-shocked and confused, Bangladeshi expat worker Ferdous, 23, can only utter a few words after hearing the sad news that his father was one of those who died in the tragic road accident early Sunday morning.

In broken English and through an interpreter Ferdous told Khaleej Times: "There are no words to describe my grief.

"I don't know what to do but I've already informed my family back home (of the accident)," added Ferdous, who hails from Shariatpur district of Dhaka in central Bangladesh.

Ferdous's father, Mudasissi, 49, was one of the 19 passengers of the ill-fated company bus which was hit by a truck early Sunday morning. Four more people, all male, died on the spot - two more Bangladeshis and two Indians. Seven were injured - out of the seven, four suffered minor injuries and were sent home while two were in the ICU and one was in the operating as at press time.

The workers, staff of Cleanco Cleaning Services & Building Maintenance, were on their way to work in one of the buildings in Dubai Festival City. They were only a few kilometres away from their destination when the accident happened.

Friends and colleagues of the fatalities who spoke with Khaleej Times described their co-workers as honest and industrious.

"They were fathers and sons - all bread winners," said Alpur. "We were in complete shock. The previous night we were having fun because it was a holiday and now they're gone."

"Their families have already been informed but I don't know how they are going to accept the sad news but tonight will definitely be a sad night at our accommodation in Sonapur," added Alpur.

angel@khaleejtimes.com