Algeria: 10 Dead as Bus Falls Into Ravine

An ambulance is parked outside the infectious diseases department at Boufarik Hospital, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Boufarik, Algeria May 26, 2021. REUTERS/Abdelaziz
An ambulance is parked outside the infectious diseases department at Boufarik Hospital, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Boufarik, Algeria May 26, 2021. REUTERS/Abdelaziz
TT
20

Algeria: 10 Dead as Bus Falls Into Ravine

An ambulance is parked outside the infectious diseases department at Boufarik Hospital, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Boufarik, Algeria May 26, 2021. REUTERS/Abdelaziz
An ambulance is parked outside the infectious diseases department at Boufarik Hospital, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Boufarik, Algeria May 26, 2021. REUTERS/Abdelaziz

At least ten people died and 25 others were injured after their bus fell into a ravine in northeastern Algeria on Friday, civil protection officials said.

The bus was travelling from Algiers to Tikjda, a mountain resort popular with tourists, when it fell 150 meters into a ravine near the town of El Asnam, the source said.

All those injured were transferred to hospital in nearby Bouira, AFP reported.

The mountainous region of Tikjda is a popular holiday destination for Algerians, who have flocked there in large numbers after the heavy snowfall of recent weeks.

Speeding motorists, including public transport drivers, is the main cause of road accidents in Algeria, according to the national road safety agency.

In 2021, the latest figures available, Algeria recorded almost 7,186 traffic accidents, resulting in 2,643 deaths and 11,479 injuries.



Syrian Forces Enter Sweida after Deadly Clashes

Syrian government forces deploy at Mazraa village on the outskirts of the city of Sweida, southern Syria, Monday, July 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Ghaith Alsayed)
Syrian government forces deploy at Mazraa village on the outskirts of the city of Sweida, southern Syria, Monday, July 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Ghaith Alsayed)
TT
20

Syrian Forces Enter Sweida after Deadly Clashes

Syrian government forces deploy at Mazraa village on the outskirts of the city of Sweida, southern Syria, Monday, July 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Ghaith Alsayed)
Syrian government forces deploy at Mazraa village on the outskirts of the city of Sweida, southern Syria, Monday, July 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Ghaith Alsayed)

Syrian government forces entered the city of Sweida on Tuesday, the interior ministry said, aiming to end clashes that have killed nearly 100 people.

The southern city had been under the control of armed factions from the Druze minority, whose religious leaders said they had approved the deployment of Damascus' troops and called on fighters to hand over their weapons.

A curfew was to be imposed on the southern city in a bid to halt the violence, which erupted at the weekend and has since spread across Sweida governorate.

Government forces said they intervened to separate Bedouin tribes and Druze fighters but ended up taking control of several Druze areas around Sweida, an AFP correspondent reported.

Military columns were seen advancing toward Sweida on Tuesday morning, with heavy artillery deployed nearby.

The defense ministry said later that they had entered the city, and urged people to "stay home and report any movements of outlaw groups".

An AFP correspondent heard explosions and gunshots as soldiers moved into Sweida.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor reported 99 people killed since the fighting erupted on Sunday -- 60 Druze, including four civilians, 18 Bedouin fighters, 14 security personnel and seven unidentified people in military uniforms.

The defense ministry reported 18 deaths among the ranks of the armed forces.