Three-year-old girl found dead in school bus in Abu Dhabi

A three-year-old Indian student was found dead in a school bus on Tuesday, leaving her family and school in shock and grief, and raising concerns about the safety of children using these services by providers.

The girl, a KG1 student, was allegedly found dead by bus supervisors on her return from a private school in the capital in the afternoon. The Abu Dhabi Police are probing if it was a case of negligence by bus staff.

School authorities could not be reached for comment, but Eng Hamad Al Dhaheri, Executive Director, Private School Sector, at the Abu Dhabi Education Council (Adec), said it was a tragedy that knew no bounds and the Council would provide all assistance to the police in its investigation into the tragic death.

“We offer our condolences to the family of the pupil and will be taking the necessary administrative action if any negligence is proven,” he said in a statement.

He said the Adec would do all it could to provide support to the grieving family as they cope with the loss of their child. “We will assist police and transport authorities as they go into the circumstances leading to the death.”

It was the first day of school after the Eid holidays, with some schools reporting a low turnout of students. Police are investigating if the child was left behind on the bus by the bus driver and supervisor on the trip home.

Brigadier Hussain Ahmed Al Harthi, Director of Traffic Patrols and also head of the executive committee for school transport, said a full investigation would be done into the incident and rules governing school transport would be implemented. He also offered his condolences to the family of the child.

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