Riyadh explosion: Driver negligence caused Zahid Tractor explosion
A spokesman for the Civil Defense department in Riyadh has confirmed the driver of the crashed fuel tanker that exploded and killed over 20 people, including workers for Cat dealer Zahid Tractor, lost control of his vehicle on the Khurais Road before colliding with the bridge. 23 people have been reported to have been killed […]
70 engineers have been called into oversee the Khurais Road repairs
A spokesman for the Civil Defense department in Riyadh has confirmed the driver of the crashed fuel tanker that exploded and killed over 20 people, including workers for Cat dealer Zahid Tractor, lost control of his vehicle on the Khurais Road before colliding with the bridge.
23 people have been reported to have been killed and injured more than 130 others following the accident last week. The blast from the collision collapsed a flyover and devastated a plant and showroom belonging to Zahid Tractor.
“The tanker had a full load of fuel when the driver lost control on the curved flyover in the city and rolled over an adjacent industrial building housing some workers.” said Captain Mohammed Hubail Al-Hammadi. “The truck driver caused the tanker to crash into one of the pillars of the bridge
“There were deaths from what he called a massive accident involving a tanker that hit the bridge, causing fuel to leak in huge quantity and a huge fire that engulfed the whole area including adjacent buildings.”
The Ministry of Transport has announced that it will demolish the Khurais Road-Sheikh Jaber intersection bridge rather than restore it with minister of transport Dr Jabarah Al-Suraisiry saying that new designs are being worked out to redevelop the entire area.
A statement from the ministry said that 70 engineers, technicians and workers were working to create a detour at the site, one of the Saudi capital’s main arteries.
Furthermore Prince Muhammad Bin Saad Bin Abdul Aziz, Acting Emir of Riyadh region told a press conference that two committees have been formed to assess the damage and investigate the cause of the accident.
While he was unable to confirm the extent of the damage, a report from Arab News predicted that the damages could mount to more than $80 million.
The director of the Riyadh Traffic Administration Maj. Gen. Abdul Aziz Abu Haimed said the negligence of the driver, Robin Kebang, of the gas tanker was blamed for the accident.
Mr Kebang, a Filipino national, was questioned by police earlier this week.
Philippine officials have reportedly offered legal assistance to the truck driver. Foreign affairs assistant secretary and spokesperson Raul Hernandez told Gulf News that Philippine embassy in Riyadh “is prepared to provide Robin Kebeng with legal assistance to help him in his defence.”
