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EDITOR IN CHIEF- ABDULLAH BIN SALIM AL SHUEILI

Adam-Thamrait road back in focus

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By Vinod Nair — MUSCAT: April 29 - As Salalah emerges as prime tourist destination in the region in summer for its moderate temperatures, the focus shifts to the fatal accidents often reported on the Adam-Thamrait road stretch. According to statistics, accidents occur mostly during the summer months, including Eid holidays. The latest accident on Friday involving a passenger bus and a truck left both the drivers dead and 40 people injured. Officials at the Salalah Line Transport said they would not comment on what caused the accident as investigations are still under way.


“We will wait for a report from the Royal Oman Police (ROP), which is expected in the coming days.”


The long journey of nearly 12 hours through the desert has claimed many lives, including that of foreigners, prompting some travellers to prefer air transport. Speaking to the Observer, the main bus operators on the route said the margin of error is less because of its nature — a long stretch of a single carriageway. “We deploy only experienced drivers and have adequate stops for them to take breaks. Accidents still happen, and it is very unfortunate,” said an official of a private bus operator.


“Compared with the number of accidents involving private vehicles, it is obvious the bus operators have handled their responsibility well despite the challenges. Once the work on the dual carriage is complete, it will make a big difference,” he said.


“With ticket fares to Salalah being low, I would prefer the flight option any day. For those who prefer driving they should take note that accidents can happen even if the fault is not yours. So some precautions like proper vehicle checks and adequate rest will make a big difference,” said Abdullah Hasni, who prefers long drives over flight trips.


Usman Zafar, who was behind the wheels of the bus that met with an accident on Friday, was only 27 years old, his cousin Naseer told the Observer. He was with the current company as a driver for the last couple of months and got married four months ago. He is also survived by both his parents. Naseer said he had advised Usman to be careful as the Salalah route was known for accidents. His body will be taken to Punjab in Pakistan after the formalities. The Ministry of Transport and Communications is working on the dual carriageway project, which will include interchanges, service stations and side parking areas.


On May 2 last year, 18 people lost their lives in a road accident involving a passenger bus, a truck and a car on the Ibri-Fahud road. Initial investigations revealed the truck driver lost control of the vehicle after one of its tyres burst. The bus driver tried to avoid the truck, but unfortunately the distance was too short to manoeuvre. Passengers included many foreign visitors and were travelling to Dubai from Salalah. In 2004, 24 people lost lives in an accident involving a public transport bus between Salalah and Nizwa. The accident occurred at midnight and the armed forces had to be called in as the site was a remote area. There have been several fatal accidents involving private vehicles.


The victims have often included women, children and even infants from families both within Oman and abroad.


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