Jordan’s PM Holds Government Responsible for Dead Sea Tragedy

Civil defense members look for survivors after rainstorms unleashed flash floods, near the Dead Sea. (Reuters)
Civil defense members look for survivors after rainstorms unleashed flash floods, near the Dead Sea. (Reuters)
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Jordan’s PM Holds Government Responsible for Dead Sea Tragedy

Civil defense members look for survivors after rainstorms unleashed flash floods, near the Dead Sea. (Reuters)
Civil defense members look for survivors after rainstorms unleashed flash floods, near the Dead Sea. (Reuters)

Jordan’s Prime Minister Omar Razzaz said that the government shoulders the practical, administrative, and moral responsibility for the tragic incident near the Dead Sea last Thursday.

During a Lower House session, Razzaz expressed his sincere condolences to all Jordanians, especially families of the victims and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.

The PM asserted that the government’s duty in these circumstances, and at this difficult moment, is not to search for a scapegoat. He stressed that the government must investigate all details to identify responsibility “accurately”, and to uncover any negligence or institutional defect to avoid re-occurrence of such a tragedy.

"Successful countries are not those that do not make mistakes, but are those that do not repeat the same mistakes, draw lessons from them, determine responsibilities accurately, and hold those who are negligent accountable without hesitation," the prime minister was quoted by Petra News Agency as saying.

Razzaz also thanked all who responded to the crisis efficiently and did everything in their power, but could not change the outcome; because the response to such a crisis requires various efforts, which are shared by several parties.

The Lower House also decided to form a committee to investigate the Dead Sea incident when 40 MPs requested a motion of no confidence in the ministers of education and tourism.



Gunman Shot Dead, 3 Police Injured in Shooting near Israeli Embassy in Jordan

Image of the Israeli embassy building in Amman. (Archive)
Image of the Israeli embassy building in Amman. (Archive)
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Gunman Shot Dead, 3 Police Injured in Shooting near Israeli Embassy in Jordan

Image of the Israeli embassy building in Amman. (Archive)
Image of the Israeli embassy building in Amman. (Archive)

A gunman was dead and three policemen injured after a shooting near the Israeli embassy in neighboring Jordan, a security source and state media said on Sunday.
Police shot a gunman who had fired at a police patrol in the Rabiah neighborhood of Amman, state news agency Petra reported, citing public security, adding investigations were ongoing.
Jordan's government communications minister, Mohamed Momani, described the shooting as a terror attack that targeted public security forces in the country. He said in a statement that investigations into the attack were under way.
Jordanian police had earlier cordoned off an area near the heavily policed embassy after gunshots were heard, witnesses said. Two witnesses said police and ambulances rushed to the Rabiah neighborhood, where the embassy is located.
The area is a flashpoint for frequent demonstrations against Israel. The kingdom has witnessed some of the biggest peaceful rallies across the region as anti-Israel sentiment runs high over the war in Gaza.
Police had called on residents to stay in their homes as security personnel searched for the culprits, a security source said.