RIYADH — Saudi Arabia expressed its solidarity with the United Arab Emirates following a major traffic accident in Fujairah that killed 14 people and injured 30 others, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
In a statement, the ministry extended the Kingdom’s sincere condolences and sympathy to the UAE’s leadership, government and people, as well as the families of the victims, and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
The accident occurred shortly before midnight on Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Road at the entrance to Fujairah, when a truck collided with several vehicles, triggering a fire that spread to multiple cars, according to Fujairah Police.
The Fujairah Police General Headquarters said the truck driver lost control of the vehicle, causing it to collide with another car before overturning and crashing into several vehicles that had stopped or slowed because of traffic congestion.
The collision sparked a fire in the truck that subsequently spread to other vehicles, resulting in significant loss of life.
Police said emergency response teams, including police, ambulance, rescue and civil defense personnel, were immediately dispatched to the scene after the operations room received a report of the accident.
Emergency crews extinguished the fire, provided first aid and transported the injured to hospitals, while police secured the scene and managed traffic to ensure the safety of other road users.
Authorities confirmed that 15 of the 30 injured people had been discharged from hospitals after receiving medical treatment, while the remaining 15 continued to receive medical care.
Fujairah Police said the fatalities included Emirati nationals, while forensic teams were conducting DNA tests to identify several other victims.
The injured included nationals of the UAE, Oman, India, Brazil, Pakistan, Jordan and Egypt.
Police expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and extended condolences to the families of those killed, while wishing the injured a swift recovery.
The authorities also urged motorists to comply with traffic regulations, observe speed limits and maintain safe distances, particularly when approaching congested roads or areas experiencing slow-moving traffic.
Fujairah Police said investigations and legal procedures related to the accident were continuing.
The police also called on the public and social media users to avoid circulating rumors or unverified information and to rely on official sources for updates.
Source: Saudi Gazette