Deadly Bus Crash in Algeria

At least 14 people were killed and 23 others injured on Saturday in a horrific road accident in Béni Abbès province, in southwestern Algeria.

According to Algeria’s Civil Protection services, the tragedy occurred when a passenger bus skidded off the road in the municipality of Tabelbala, while heading toward the city of Béchar. Twelve victims died at the scene, and rescue operations are still ongoing, making the toll provisional.

The Algerian Gendarmerie reported a slightly different count, announcing 13 fatalities and 35 injured, with varying degrees of severity.

Bus-related accidents have become alarmingly frequent in Algeria. Last summer, a similar incident occurred when a bus plunged into the Oued El Harrach in the capital, killing 18 people and injuring 24 others—a tragedy that deeply shocked the public.

Following that event, authorities decided to import 10,000 new buses, amid widespread criticism over the aging public transport fleet, largely affected by restrictive import policies. The government also plans to phase out over 84,000 old buses that have been in service for more than 30 years.

The country is additionally facing a severe shortage of vehicle tires, which has led to soaring prices and the unavailability of many sizes.

These challenges stem from the government’s strict import regulations in recent years, aimed at encouraging the development of the local automotive industry.

President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has repeatedly stressed that he did not order a complete halt to imports, but seeks to rationalize them to meet national needs while promoting domestic production.

According to the National Road Safety Authority, road accidents caused over 3,700 deaths and more than 35,500 injuries in 2024.