At least 18 people died and nine others were injured when a bus skidded off a bridge and plunged into the Oued El Harrach river in Algiers, Algeria, on Friday, August 15, 2025.
The crash occurred around 5:46 p.m. local time in the Mohammadia district when the bus was traveling near the river in Algeria’s capital city. Lieutenant Nasim Bernawi, deputy director of statistics and information at the country’s Civil Protection Directorate, confirmed the death toll to local media outlets.
Civil Defense units dispatched 25 ambulances, 16 divers and four boats to the scene, where recovery efforts stretched into the night. Search operations for additional victims continued Friday evening as first responders worked to extract passengers from the wreckage.
Two injured passengers remained in critical condition but had been stabilized, according to officials. The victims who died were transported to hospital mortuaries. Most victims drowned in the incident, authorities reported.
Local media reported that residents jumped into the ravine to pull passengers from the wreckage before emergency crews arrived at the scene. Footage from after the crash showed first responders in red boats and various vehicles as they surrounded the water and coordinated rescue efforts before eventually bringing the bus back to solid ground.
Images from the scene revealed extensive damage to the bus, including dents along the top and sides, broken doors, and several missing parts. The footage shows rescuers carrying fragments of the battered white bus from the water, with shattered windows and doors torn away.
Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune announced a day-long national mourning period, along with the lowering of the national flag. In a statement published by the Algeria Press Service, Tebboune offered his condolences and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.
Tebboune stated, “With profound sorrow, I pay tribute to the memory of our fellow citizens who died in this tragic accident.” The president extended his sincere condolences and deep sympathy to the bereaved families in his official statement. The president’s statement reflected the national grief that touched the country following the incident.
General Saïd Chanegriha of the Algerian People’s National Army visited victims on Saturday, August 16. He made stops at the Army Central Hospital in Ain Naâdja, the Salim Zemirli Specialized Hospital in El Harrach, and Mustapha Bacha University Hospital Center to check on the injured passengers.
The cause of the crash was not immediately available from authorities. The incident represents one of the deadliest road disasters in Algeria in recent years, highlighting persistent safety concerns on the country’s highways and transportation infrastructure.
The bus accident occurred in a densely populated area of Algeria’s capital, where the Oued El Harrach river runs through urban districts. The Civil Protection Directorate coordinated the multi-agency response that involved medical personnel, rescue divers, and recovery specialists.
Local outlet AL24 reported the initial details of the crash, working alongside the Algeria Press Service to provide updates on the casualty count and rescue operations. The incident prompted immediate government response and national recognition of the victims through the official mourning declaration.