In a distressing turn of events, a school bus accident in the Sidi Thabet region, north of the Tunisian capital, has left 58 students with varying degrees of injuries.
According to a report by Al-Hurra website, the incident occurred when the bus, transporting students between the Bjaoua region and the preparatory school and secondary institute in Sidi Thabet, skidded and collided with a tree. This mishap led to 58 students sustaining injuries ranging from minor to severe.
Following the accident, Rabea Al-Majidi, the Tunisian Transport Minister, made a visit to the injured students to assess their condition and the care provided. The Minister has urged for an expedited investigation into the exact circumstances that led to this tragic incident.
The Transport Ministry stated that all the injured students are now in a “stable condition”, having received timely first aid and necessary medical care.
Further emphasizing the trauma experienced, the Ministry has activated a psychological support unit to assist the students affected by this ordeal.
Sources informed that the injured students were swiftly transferred to various hospitals in the Tunisian capital for primary medical care. Among them, 13 were taken to Charles Nicolle Hospital, 9 to Rabta Hospital, 12 to the Children’s Hospital in Bab Saadoun, 12 to El Kassab Hospital, 3 to Mongi Slim Hospital, and another 9 to the Sidi Thabet Clinic.
Road accidents involving school transport have been a significant concern worldwide. While Tunisia has been implementing measures to ensure road safety, unfortunate incidents like this underline the need for more robust systems and increased awareness.
