Nine Iraqi nationals killed, 38 wounded in road accident in Turkey’s southeast

ISTANBUL

Nine Iraqi citizens have been killed and 38 people wounded in a bus accident in the southeastern province of Şırnak, Doğan News Agency reported on Jan. 12.

The accident occurred in Şırnak’s Silopi district.

The bus was reportedly carrying Iraqi Turkmens who had fled from war-torn Iraq to Turkey and were returning to their country. Three children were among the nine killed passengers.

The bus, which had foreign license plates, reportedly tumbled on the Silopi-Habur highway.

Emergency service teams were dispatched to the area and the wounded passengers were taken to the Silopi and Cizre state hospitals for treatment.

Şırnak Governor Mehmet Aktaş went to Silopi to survey the accident, expressing his condolences for those killed.

“In the accident, three children were among the nine people killed and 38 others were injured. All those who lost their lives are Iraqi Turkmen,” said Aktaş.

He also stated that two Turkish police officers, who were on duty in order to deliver the Iraqi Turkmens to Iraq’s Telafar, were among the wounded passengers.