Fire engulfs school bus on Sultan Qaboos Street

MUSCAT, Sept 5 - The Public Authority for Civil Defence (PACDA) successfully extinguished a fire that engulfed a school bus on Sultan Qaboos Street in Muscat Governorate on Tuesday. No injuries were reported, an official of the Royal Oman Police (ROP) said. In a safety advisory, the ROP has urged bus drivers to be diligent in the proper maintenance and upkeep of their vehicles with a view to keeping their passengers safe while on the road. Fire accidents happen because of ill-maintained vehicles, the official cautioned, noting also the risk of leaving worn-out tyres unchanged, which can result in tyre bursts. Aggravating the risks for motorists is the summer heat, the official warned. Besides keeping their vehicles well-maintained, owners should also regularly monitor coolant and motor lubricant levels, and well as make sure that on-board extinguishers are in working order. Meanwhile, some parents, have alleged that many vehicles used to ferry children to and from schools are in a bad state with some even no longer roadworthy. The Ministry of Education, for its part, has put in place regulations designed to secure the safety and well-being of children when being transported to and from their schools. Hammam Al Badi