Five people died and 35 others were injured due to the overturning of a student transport bus on the Irbid-Amman highway in Jordan. In detail, the bus carrying passengers overturned on Wednesday morning in the Balqa governorate, while en route to the University of Science and Technology located in Irbid province in the north of the country. This accident resulted in the death of five individuals and injuries to 35 others, most of whom are university students, as the bus body separated from its roof due to the overturning.
Students expressed gratitude to the university administration for visiting and ensuring the well-being of the students but called for a stance against the greed of transport companies, poor road conditions, and the need for winter schedules. A student tweeted, "Dr. Khaled, we do not want to be checked upon only when we are injured; we want protection and for you to stand with us and take all necessary measures to protect students."
The spokesperson for the Jordanian Public Security Directorate stated, "Specialized teams in the Civil Defense and police dealt with the traffic accident on Wednesday morning on the Sulhoub road, which led to the bus veering off the public road into a valley opposite the Martyr Wasfi al-Tal Forest, specifically midway down Sulhoub." He added, "The accident resulted in the deaths of five people and injuries to 35 others, including five severe injuries. The deceased were evacuated, and first aid was provided to the injured, who were transferred to nearby hospitals for necessary treatment."
Social media users in Jordan circulated photos and videos documenting the bus's overturning and the evacuation efforts by Civil Defense teams. Another student reflected on their experiences during their studies, stating that the buses were a significant problem, with many requiring maintenance, and bus owners prioritizing profits over students' safety.
Previously, the Jordanian Public Security Directorate warned early on Monday, with the onset of unstable weather conditions, about the importance of following the guidelines issued during adverse weather. They stated, "We urge citizens to stay away from the banks of valleys and areas prone to flooding and not to risk crossing them, either by vehicle or on foot." They emphasized the need for drivers to exercise caution while driving on external roads during heavy dust and rainfall to avoid vehicle slips or reduced visibility.
