UPDATE: Fatal crash in Dubai prompts renewed call for ban on 'sardine-like' minibuses
Eight people died and six others were hurt in a road accident involving a minibus and a heavy goods vehicle on one of Dubai's busiest traffic routes on Monday.
At 4.54am, a 14-seater bus hit a lorry that had stopped on the hard shoulder of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Road, near City Centre Mirdif mall on the way to Sharjah.
The minibus driver and seven passengers were declared dead at the scene.
Two passengers were seriously hurt and four others sustained moderate injuries.
Khalifa bin Dray, executive director of Dubai Ambulance Service, said the critically injured passengers were taken to Rashid Hospital’s trauma centre.
Brig Saif Al Mazroui, general traffic department director at Dubai Police, said the lorry was stopped on the right-side hard shoulder of the road when the van struck it.
Of the eight dead, seven were Indian citizens.
“As soon as we were alerted to this major incident, five ambulances were dispatched to the scene, accompanied by an intensive care medic," said Faris Al Bardan, head of the Deira ambulance division.
India's consul general, Vipul, posted a message of support for those recovering in hospital on social media.
"We are sad to inform that seven Indians have passed away in a horrific bus accident in Dubai," he said.
"Consulate officials are at Rashid Hospital to assist."
Brig Al Mazroui said Monday's crash was the latest in a series of minibus accidents this year.
"This type of vehicle has been involved in 34 accidents in the past eight months, killing one person and injuring 34 others," he said.
"Accidents involving trucks or vans often lead to catastrophic outcomes."
According to police, during the same period last year, vans and trucks were involved in 35 accidents claiming 12 lives. Eighty-seven people were hurt in these incidents – 11 severely.
Col Faisal Al Qasim, director of security media at Dubai Police, said an investigation was under way.
"Motorists should respect speed limits, avoid distractions and use indicators when changing lanes," he said.
