Algeria bus crash kills 25, injures 44

At least 25 people were killed and 44 others injured when a passenger bus plunged into a ravine east of Algiers, Algeria, on Friday, July 31, 2026. The crash, described by authorities as one of the deadliest in the country in recent years, has prompted a national period of mourning.

The Algerian Civil Protection agency reported that the accident occurred around 9:40 a.m. local time in the locality of El Karma, near the coastal town of Boumerdes, approximately 50 kilometers from the capital. The bus was traveling from the city of Sétif to Algiers when it veered off the road for reasons still under investigation. Emergency responders rushed to the scene, with a continuous flow of ambulances transporting the injured to nearby hospitals. Rescue operations were ongoing, and officials warned the death toll could rise.

In response to the tragedy, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune declared three days of national mourning, according to state media.

The crash highlights a persistent and severe road safety crisis in Algeria. Authorities frequently cite human factors such as speeding and dangerous driving as primary causes of accidents, alongside poor road conditions and inadequate...