Izki school bus accident: Boys aged 6, 9 and 10 killed

Muscat: Three boys aged 6, 9, and 10 were killed in a devastating bus collision that occurred in Izki on Wednesday morning, the Royal Oman Police (ROP) said.

Speaking to Times of Oman, the ROP added that the 20-year-old bus driver also died in the accident, which took place at 7:44 a.m.

“While the driver was travelling from the Qalat Al Awamer area towards Izki, the vehicle swerved to the right upon reaching the accident site, collided with a lamppost, then veered off the road and caught fire,” the ROP said.

Two children with moderate injuries were taken to Izki Hospital, while six children with moderate injuries and five with severe injuries were transferred to Nizwa Reference Hospital.

Younis Al Mandhari, the representative of the Wilayat of Izki in the Shura Council, said: “The causes of the accident are still unknown and have not yet been published by the Royal Oman Police. The road where the accident occurred is paved, smooth, and passable, with no apparent issues.”

He added: “The accident happened when the bus hit a fixed object — a lamppost — and then overturned below the elevated road. Three deaths have been confirmed so far, in addition to the bus driver. Twelve people were injured with varying degrees of severity. Six of them, who sustained serious injuries, were transferred to Nizwa Hospital, while the rest with moderate to minor injuries were taken to Izki Hospital.”

“The passengers on the bus were schoolchildren from kindergarten to fourth grade at a private school,” he noted.

The Ministry of Health responded promptly to the incident, intensifying efforts to treat the injured at both Nizwa and Izki hospitals. It also activated its emergency response plan and coordinated with relevant departments to manage the situation effectively.

Nizwa Hospital received one black (deceased) case, four red (critical) cases, and seven yellow (serious) cases.
Izki Hospital received three black (deceased) cases and three green (minor) cases.

The Ministry of Health extended its sincere condolences to the families of the deceased and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.