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Abu Dhabi: Two UAE citizens lost their lives, and three others were injured in a traffic accident on an external road in Saudi Arabia, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on Friday. The ministry has been closely coordinating with Saudi authorities since the incident occurred.
Following the accident, the UAE National Guard’s National Search and Rescue Center conducted a medical air evacuation to transport the injured citizens back to the UAE. After initial treatment at King Khalid Hospital in Hail, Saudi Arabia, they were transferred to Sheikh Khalifa Medical City in the UAE. The bodies of the deceased were also repatriated.
The incident highlights the growing number of road accidents involving Emirati citizens traveling by car to neighboring Gulf countries, particularly Saudi Arabia and Oman. Authorities have urged travelers to exercise caution and adequately prepare for road trips.
The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its gratitude to Saudi authorities for their cooperation, which facilitated the safe evacuation and repatriation efforts.
This recent accident follows a series of tragic incidents involving UAE residents.
Recurring road tragedies
These recurring tragedies have raised significant concerns about road safety among UAE residents. A recent survey by UAE police and traffic departments found road accidents to be the leading safety concern in the country, surpassing economic challenges such as unemployment and rising living costs.
• August 2023: A Jordanian father and his four children lost their lives in a collision on the Mecca-Riyadh highway while returning to Abu Dhabi after performing Umrah.
• July 2023: Five people were killed in a fiery crash between two vehicles on the Batha-Haradh road in Saudi Arabia, including a UAE-registered car carrying 12 passengers.
• February 2022: Four Emirati nationals died in a crash at the Khafji border crossing due to a hazardous road curve linked to an unfinished bridge project.
Rising concerns over road safety
The Lloyd’s Register Global Risk Report (2024) identified road accidents as the top safety threat in the UAE, with 28 per cent of respondents citing it as their primary concern.
Additionally, a joint report by the United Nations and the World Health Organization (WHO) revealed that road accidents are the second leading cause of death in the UAE. Among child fatalities, 63 per cent are attributed to traffic accidents. Despite modern infrastructure, factors like driver behavior and road design continue to contribute to rising accident rates.
Authorities emphasize the need for heightened awareness and stricter safety measures to reduce these alarming statistics.
