Children among 16 killed in car crash in southern Yemen
Al Jazeera
February 25, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
A tragic bus-truck collision in southern Yemen’s Lahmar area has claimed at least 16 lives, including eight women and children, making it the country's second-deadliest traffic accident in recent years. The crash occurred on a key transit route between Abyan and Shabwa provinces, with authorities attributing the disaster to improper overtaking on a dangerous bend. The bus, using gas as fuel, caught fire instantly upon impact, leaving no survivors.
Yemen’s road network, already perilous due to its rugged terrain, has deteriorated further from over a decade of conflict between government forces and Houthi rebels. Neglected infrastructure and hazardous driving conditions are frequent contributors to such tragedies, with last year's similarly devastating crash in Abyan province killing 17 people on a mountain road.
The latest accident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by Yemenis navigating its treacherous roads. The combination of neglected infrastructure, conflict-induced instability, and dangerous driving practices creates a deadly cocktail for travelers. This incident underscores the urgent need for improved road safety measures in a country already beleaguered by years of violence and economic hardship.
For readers interested in global road safety and humanitarian issues, this事故 serves as a stark reminder of the human toll of underfunded infrastructure and ongoing conflicts. Yemen’s recurring traffic fatalities reflect broader struggles with stability and development, making such incidents a critical concern for international observers.
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Originally published on Al Jazeera on 2/25/2026