Firms 'must ensure safety of workers'

Dubai: Two men were killed and 21 others were injured when a car hit a group of men working on a site near Global Village on Thursday.

Police said the motorist, believed to be speeding, lost control and hit a group of workers who were carrying out road maintenance.

Eyewitnesses said the vehicle swerved from the fast lane to the extreme right side of Emirates Road before it hit a parked pickup and smashed into roadblocks, which barricaded a group men at a worksite.

The driver who was identified as 27-year-old Egyptian national, A.M., hit 18 workers, including Indians and Nepalese nationals.

Salah Bu Farousha, Head of Dubai Traffic Public Prosecution, told Gulf News that the accident highlighted many concerns regarding the safety of workers on roadside projects.

"The companies which run construction projects on sides of major highways or inner roads should be concerned about the workers' safety. I call on those companies to improve safety measures to protect the workers against the dangers of such accidents," he said.

The companies must use sturdier blocks to absorb massive impacts 'such as today's accident' and which help reduce the number of casualties, he stressed.

Huge tailback

"The motorist was driving a considerably small car which caused such a massive accident that led to deaths and injuries. If it wasn't for divine intervention, the toll could have been higher. Imagine the damage if there was a truck involved in the collision," said Bu Farousha. Why wait for the worst when it can be averted, he exclaimed.

Police said the accident caused huge traffic tailbacks on Emirates Road as some motorists pulled over to watch the accident.

A.M., who sustained minor injuries, is being questioned and the investigations are continuing into the accident. There were three Egyptians (including the driver) and two Palestinians in the vehicle. One of the Egyptian passengers and an Indian national, who was among the 18 workers, died in the accident that happened at around 6.45am on Emirates Road.

Four men who sustained major injuries and sixteen others who sustained medium and minor injuries equally were rushed to hospital after the accident.

Bur Dubai Police Station's patrols along with Difficult Missions teams and Dubai Police's Air wing helped transport the injured to the hospital.

Bu Farousha said the engine of the car was found on the road. He said they have asked for the technical report on the car and for it to be examined regarding its condition and brakes.