Muscat: Three members of a family were among 18 killed in road accidents during the Eid Al Adha break in Oman.
The Royal Oman Police (ROP) public relations department told how Ahmad Bin Hassan Al Ajmi, 57, and his two daughters Hamda (20) and Zaina (15) burned to death in Shinas, 250-kilometres north of Muscat.
The three were on their way to meet relatives when their car veered off the road and hit an electric pole. The car was engulfed by flames and passers-by watched helplessly as it was engulfed by flames within minutes.
The police have blamed the accident on speeding.
During the celebrations, 387 people were injured and 250 accidents were reported throughout the country.
“Due to speeding, the traffic accidents and related deaths are increasing in the country,” a spokesperson for the traffic department said. “These accidents have left many people in hospital and some have spent a long period of time recovering from serious injuries because of them.”
He urged everyone to adhere to the speed limits and other traffic regulations. He also cautioned youngsters from driving too fast during the celebrations of the final of the Gulf Cup football tournament, currently taking place in Yemen.
And he pointed out that young people are already gearing up for the event.
“We have noticed that some cars are decorated in such a way that hinders driver’s view while driving,” he said. “The police will show zero tolerance for unruly behaviour that could cause traffic jams, as well as posters on cars. All will be dealt with strictly,” he warned.
