Deadly bus collision on Syria's 'road of death' kills 35, injures 30

At least 35 people were killed and 30 others injured on Saturday when two buses collided on a highway in central Syria. The crash occurred on the road linking the capital Damascus with the eastern province of Deir al-Zour, near the city of Palmyra, according to Syrian state media and health authorities.

The collision

One bus was transporting members of the Internal Security Forces, while the second carried civilian passengers, the Syrian Interior Ministry said in a statement. State television footage showed one vehicle engulfed in flames after the impact. The ministry expressed “profound sadness and sorrow” over the accident, but officials have not yet determined the cause of the collision or indicated whether an investigation will be opened.

Casualties and response

The health ministry, citing senior health official Najeeb Al-Naasan, confirmed the toll of 35 dead and 30 injured, with injuries ranging from moderate to critical. Emergency teams rushed to the scene, and military helicopters helped evacuate the wounded to a military hospital in Homs, about 160 kilometers from Palmyra. The ministry placed hospitals, health directorates and blood banks in Homs and Rural Damascus governorates on the highest level of readiness.

Fire and rescue operations

The Syria Civil Defense, known as the White Helmets, said its crews controlled a fire that broke out after the crash. Photographs shared by the group showed fire trucks at the site as rescuers worked to extinguish the blaze, with one bus appearing charred and the other having its side torn open, seats scattered on the roadside. The White Helmets provided first aid and assisted in recovering the bodies of those killed.

The ‘road of death’

The highway is notorious for frequent and often fatal accidents, and is widely referred to as the “road of death,” DW reported. Years of conflict have left transport infrastructure in poor condition, while economic pressures have forced the continued use of older vehicles with limited maintenance. Speeding and dangerous overtaking are also among the factors blamed for deadly crashes.

On Friday alone, the civil defense responded to 19 traffic accidents across Syria that killed three people and injured seven others, highlighting the persistent danger on the country’s roads.