A tragic accident occurred on Thursday, June 6, when a bus carrying students and teachers from a school for orphans veered off course and plunged down a mountainside into the Orontes River. The accident, which took place near Ain Ara, west of Idlib, resulted in seven deaths and left twenty others injured.
The bus en route to Darkoush city from its southern countryside carried 27 passengers, including mostly female students. According to initial reports, the driver lost control of the vehicle due to the treacherous nature of the mountainous terrain and the narrow, winding road. The vehicle fell into a valley south of Darkoush City, leading to a rapid and intense rescue operation.
Emergency response teams, including military brigades, police forces, and local residents, worked tirelessly to retrieve the injured and search for the missing. The final death toll includes four female students, two children, and a woman from the school staff. The injured were transported to local hospitals, with some in critical condition.
Prime Minister Muhammad al-Bashir, alongside the head of the Syrian Salvation Government (SSG) and several ministers, visited the injured in hospitals and oversaw the rescue operations. “We directed all our working units to move quickly to the location of the accident,” said Interior Minister Muhammad Abdulrahman. “Our teams worked with residents to ensure ambulances could reach the scene swiftly.”
Health Minister Dr. Mazen Dukhan expressed gratitude for the community’s efforts during a press conference, noting that volunteers helped clear the roads and donate blood. “We offer our condolences to the families of the victims and wish a speedy recovery for the injured,” he said.
The Syrian Civil Defense, known as the White Helmets, confirmed that search and rescue operations concluded after six hours of continuous work, ensuring no persons were left unaccounted for. The final count confirmed seven fatalities and twenty injuries, including 12 female students, four children, two female teachers, the bus driver, and his daughter. Among the victims was Hamdi Haj Yusef, a child who was buried last night in Khirbet al-Jawz, west of Idlib. Survivors like Marah, a young girl, face a long road to recovery.
In a joint press conference, Al Rahma Hospital staff and White Helmets reiterated the severity of the incident. “This day is a sad day in the history of the region and Syrian history,” they stated, highlighting the difficulty of the rescue operation and the critical condition of some patients. They also emphasized the dangerous conditions of the roadways in the area.
Authorities and rescue teams urge caution for travelers in the region due to the hazardous conditions, including steep slopes and narrow roads. Civil defense teams continue to maintain a presence near the site, prepared to respond to any future emergencies.
