At least 18 people died and nine others were injured when a passenger bus skidded off a bridge and plunged into the Oued El Harrach river in Algiers, Algeria, on Friday, August 15.
The accident occurred around 5:46 p.m. local time in the Mohammadia district of eastern Algiers when the bus was traveling near the river and fell off the bridge into the water. Lieutenant Nasim Bernawi, deputy director of statistics and information at Algeria’s Civil Protection Directorate, confirmed the death toll to the local press.
Emergency response teams deployed 25 ambulances, 16 divers, and four boats to assist with search and rescue operations, which continued well into Friday evening. Two of the injured passengers were in critical condition but were stabilized before being transferred to local hospitals, while the deceased were transported to hospital mortuaries.
Local residents jumped into the ravine to help rescue victims before emergency crews arrived at the scene. Civil Protection services began their intervention immediately after the incident was reported, with search operations for any additional victims continuing throughout the night.
Footage from the aftermath showed first responders in red boats and various vehicles surrounding the water as they coordinated rescue efforts and eventually brought the damaged bus back to solid ground. Images from the scene revealed extensive damage to the white bus, including dents along the top and sides, broken doors, shattered windows, and several missing parts.
Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune issued a statement offering condolences to the bereaved families and wishing a speedy recovery to the injured.
The President extended his sincere condolences and deep sympathy to the bereaved families in his statement, praying that Allah may bestow mercy upon the departed and provide patience and solace to their loved ones. He also shared a message on his Facebook page announcing a day-long period of national mourning beginning Friday evening, along with the lowering of the national flag.
General Said Chanegriha of the Algerian People’s National Army visited victims on Saturday, August 16, making stops at multiple medical facilities, including the Army Central Hospital in Ain Naadja, the Salim Zemirli Specialized Hospital in El Harrach, and Mustapha Bacha University Hospital Center.
Officials have not yet determined the cause of the accident. The Oued El Harrach river is currently undergoing a major cleaning project, according to local reports.
Road accidents remain a recurring problem in Algeria, where poor road conditions, speeding, and mechanical failures frequently contribute to fatal incidents. The El Harrach crash represents one of the deadliest road disasters in the capital in recent years, renewing concerns about highway safety in the country.
In 2023, another bus crash in Algeria killed at least 34 people and injured 12 after a collision with a commercial vehicle that resulted in multiple vehicles catching fire on a highway. That incident involved a bus that crashed into a commercial vehicle and burst into flames, with the collision leading to another bus and a car catching fire.
The August 15 accident marks a significant loss of life for the North African nation, with most victims reportedly drowning after the bus plunged into the river. Recovery efforts involved extensive coordination between multiple emergency service units as they worked to locate all victims and provide medical care to survivors.
The incident has prompted renewed discussions about transportation safety measures in Algeria, particularly regarding passenger bus operations and bridge infrastructure. Emergency response protocols were activated immediately, demonstrating the preparedness of local civil protection services to handle large-scale rescue operations.
