A tragic bus crash in the Algerian capital has left 18 people dead and 24 others injured after a passenger bus veered off a bridge and plunged into the Oued El Harrach streambed late Friday afternoon.
The accident occurred around 5:45 p.m., drawing a massive emergency response that deployed 25 ambulances, 16 divers, and four rescue boats. Civilians were the first to act, wading into the water to pull victims from the partially submerged bus before rescue teams arrived.
President Abdelmadjid Tebboune declared a national day of mourning, ordered flags at half-mast across the country, and extended condolences to the victims’ families.
Authorities confirmed that two of the injured remain in critical condition while investigations continue into the cause of the crash.
