Fujairah Crash: 14 Killed, 30 Injured as Truck Ploughs Into Vehicles on Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street
Fujairah, The Gulf Observer: Fourteen people were killed and 30 others injured in a multi-vehicle crash involving 18 cars and five trucks on Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street in Fujairah, in one of the deadliest road accidents in the United Arab Emirates in recent years.
Fujairah Police confirmed that the accident occurred shortly before midnight, when a truck driver lost control of his vehicle, causing it to collide with a car before veering off and striking a number of vehicles that had stopped due to slow-moving traffic on the street. The truck then caught fire, and the blaze spread to several other vehicles.
Police, ambulance and rescue crews, along with civil defence personnel, were immediately dispatched to the scene, where they extinguished the fire, treated the injured and transported them to hospital.
Victims of the Fujairah Crash
Fifteen of the 30 injured have since been discharged from hospital. Police confirmed that the deceased included Emirati nationals, along with a number of victims whose identities are still being established through DNA testing. The injured include Emirati, Omani, Indian, Brazilian, Pakistani, Jordanian and Egyptian nationals.
The UAE Ministry of Interior expressed its deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and wished a speedy recovery to all those injured. The ministry also urged members of the public to rely on official sources for information and to refrain from spreading rumours or unverified information.
The Consulate General of India in Dubai said in a statement on X on Thursday afternoon that it was “deeply saddened by the tragic road accident in Fujairah that claimed lives of several people, including Indian nationals.” The consulate added that it had reached out to the bereaved families and was working closely with local authorities to provide all possible assistance and support, extending its “heartfelt condolences and prayers” to the grieving families.
Police Urge Strict Adherence to Traffic Rules
Fujairah Police stressed the importance of obeying traffic rules, adhering to specified speed limits and maintaining adequate safety distances, particularly when approaching congested areas and slow-moving traffic.
New UAE Driving Hour Limits Weeks Away
The Fujairah crash comes weeks before new UAE traffic regulations take effect on January 1, introducing a maximum driving limit of nine hours within any 24-hour period. The measures, aimed at reducing driver fatigue and improving road safety, also prohibit motorists from driving when exhaustion impairs their ability to operate a vehicle safely. The regulations are expected to have significant implications for professional drivers, including those operating heavy goods vehicles.
Rising Freight Traffic Through Fujairah
Fujairah has emerged as an increasingly important transport and logistics hub since the outbreak of the regional conflict, as shipping companies seek alternatives to routes through the Strait of Hormuz. Located on the Gulf of Oman outside the strait, the Port of Fujairah has become a vital gateway for goods entering and leaving the region, leading to a rise in freight movements by road.
The shift has placed greater demands on the road network linking Fujairah with other emirates and neighbouring countries, bringing renewed focus on road safety along these busy corridors.
