Nine dead and 92 injured in Abu Dhabi during Eid holidays

Abu Dhabi/Dubai: Nine people were killed and 92 were injured in traffic accidents during Eid holidays in the emirate of Abu Dhabi (inclusive of Al Ain and Al Gharbia), according to senior police officials.

Over 44 accidents took place between September 30 and October 4.

Major Yaslam Mubarak Al Tamimi, who heads the serious traffic accidents department, said Abu Dhabi city alone suffered 37 accidents resulting in the deaths of six people and injury of 87 others. Notably, 49 of the people involved in the accidents were between 18-30 years, he said.

Seven accidents were caused by jumping red lights, leaving 22 injured. A sudden diversion of the vehicle resulted in six accidents, leaving 23 injured. Reckless driving caused four accidents while speeding caused three crashes.

On the first day of Eid, a four-wheel drive slipped off a bridge into the water in Musaffah area.

"All eight passengers in the vehicle escaped unhurt after being saved by an Emirati boy who was jet-skiing at the time," an official said.

In Al Ain, six accidents took place during the holidays. One person died and seven suffered injuries.

Meanwhile, Dubai Police intensified their campaign against jaywalkers.

Brigadier Mohammad Saif Al Zafein, Director of the Dubai Police Traffic Department, said the department will impose stiff penalties on jaywalkers.

He said Deira traffic patrols fined 307 jaywalkers during the Eid holidays.

Police said a jaywalker was killed in a run over accident on Shaikh Zayed Road near Ibn Battuta Mall on Thursday noon. Police said the driver was not paying attention while driving and the victim was not crossing from a designated area.

- With inputs from Aftab Kazmi, Al Ain Bureau Chief