At least 14 people have died in a 23-vehicle crash in the United Arab Emirates after a truck driver lost control of his vehicle, triggering a fire that engulfed several cars. Dozens more were injured in the incident, which took place just before midnight on Thursday.
Truck Loses Control and Sparks Fire
Officials said the truck collided with another car before rolling over and striking other vehicles on a highway with "slow-moving traffic" near the entrance of the eastern emirate. The impact sparked a fire that spread to several other cars, and emergency services were called to the scene to extinguish the blaze.
The incident resulted in a "heavy loss of life", according to authorities. DNA tests are being conducted to identify the bodies of the deceased, some of whom were Emirati nationals, the police added.
International Victims and Hospital Response
The Indian consulate in the UAE confirmed that its citizens were among the deceased and said it has reached out to "bereaved families" and is working with local authorities to provide assistance and support.
At least 30 people were injured and rushed to hospital. Around half of the wounded victims have since been discharged, while the others remain in hospital. They are from the UAE, Oman, Brazil, India, Pakistan, Jordan and Egypt, according to authorities.
