18 drown as bus falls into river in Algerian capital

By Abbas Mimouni and Rania Abu Shamala

ALGIERS, Algeria/ISTANBUL (AA) – At least 18 people drowned and nine others were injured after a passenger bus fell into the Oued El Harrach river in central Algiers, Algeria’s Civil Protection Service said Friday.

In a statement, the service said that a traffic accident occurred in the city of El Harrach, leaving 18 dead and nine others injured, including two critically.

The statement noted that 25 ambulances, 16 divers, and 4 semi-inflatable boats were mobilized to help the victims.

Footage posted on social media showed the moment the bus was submerged in the valley’s waters and citizens attempting to reach the victims.