Tragic School Bus Accident in Syria Leaves Seven Dead, 20 Injured

At least seven people, most of them children, drowned and 20 were injured when a school bus skidded off the road and plunged into the Orontes River in northwestern Syria on Thursday. The accident occurred near the town of Darkush, west of Idlib, according to emergency responders.

The local civil defense organization, known as the White Helmets, reported that rescue teams searched for about six hours for survivors along the cliffside and in the river. The cause of the accident remains unclear. Images from the scene depicted a steep crag overlooking the riverbed, where searchers were seen scrambling over boulders in their efforts to find survivors.

Why This Matters: Ahmad Ghandour, a doctor at the hospital in Darkush that received the casualties, stated that the students and teachers on the bus were from a school for orphans. This tragic incident adds to the suffering of an area already devastated by Syria’s ongoing civil war and a catastrophic 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck Turkey and northern Syria last year.

The region, which is under opposition control, is home to approximately 5.1 million people, most of whom have been internally displaced multiple times due to the 14-year-long civil war. These displaced individuals rely heavily on aid to survive, making the recent accident even more heartbreaking.

The White Helmets, known for their heroic efforts in rescuing civilians from the rubble of bombed buildings, played a crucial role in the search and rescue operation. Their statement highlighted the challenging conditions faced by the rescue teams as they navigated the treacherous terrain to reach the victims.

Key Takeaways:

• Seven Dead: Seven people, mostly children, drowned in the bus accident.
• 20 Injured: Twenty individuals were injured in the tragic incident.
• Orphan School: Victims were from a school for orphans in Darkush.
• Ongoing Crisis: Area already devastated by civil war and earthquake.
• White Helmets: Local civil defense conducted a six-hour rescue operation.