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Morocco bus crash: At least 33 killed in explosion after bus carrying child athletes collides with petrol tanker on desert road | |
(35 minutes later) | |
More than 30 people have been killed in Morocco in a head-on crash between a bus carrying young athletes and a petrol tanker. | More than 30 people have been killed in Morocco in a head-on crash between a bus carrying young athletes and a petrol tanker. |
At least 33 people died when the coach collided with the tanker, causing a huge explosion that engulfed both vehicles in flames. | |
Eight people, the only survivors, were injured in the accident on a road between the Moroccan capital, Rabat, and Laayoune, in annexed Western Sahara. | |
The crash took place shortly before sunrise at 7am in the district of Chbika, near the southern desert city of Tan-Tan, local media reported. | The crash took place shortly before sunrise at 7am in the district of Chbika, near the southern desert city of Tan-Tan, local media reported. |
A video posted online showed the flaming wreckage of a double-decker tour bus by the destroyed petrol tanker in the desert. | A video posted online showed the flaming wreckage of a double-decker tour bus by the destroyed petrol tanker in the desert. |
The bus was carrying young athletes and officials from the Ministry of Youth and Sports, who had been taking part in a national sports competition, the Le360.ma news site reported. | The bus was carrying young athletes and officials from the Ministry of Youth and Sports, who had been taking part in a national sports competition, the Le360.ma news site reported. |
"We have many completely carbonised bodies. Authorities have been in contact with the bus company to identify the victims," said Benmane Fadli, regional director of the transportation ministry. | |
Les Ecos newspaper reported that the athletes were from the towns of Bouznika and from Laayoune and that celebrated runner Hassan Issengar, 31, was among the dead. | Les Ecos newspaper reported that the athletes were from the towns of Bouznika and from Laayoune and that celebrated runner Hassan Issengar, 31, was among the dead. |
In 2013, nearly 4,000 people were killed and more than 100,000 injured as a result of traffic accidents in Morocco, according to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. | |
It advises caution on poor rural roads, which are often badly lit. | |
Additional reporting by agencies | Additional reporting by agencies |
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