Driver of another vehicle arrested
Three days of mourning declared in Garmiyan following tragic road accident
KALAR — The Garmiyan Administration has declared three days of public mourning after a road accident on the Kalar-Kfri road Tuesday that killed four students and injured six.
Jalal Sheikh Nouri, the administrator of Garmian, announced the mourning period on Facebook. The accident involved a minibus carrying female students from Bakur Secondary School who were returning from a school trip in Kifri.
Officials identified the deceased as Dania Ahmad Latif, Kawser Ahmad Latif, Sham Saman and Arazu Sardar. The local administration expressed its sorrow and concern for the impact on Garmian residents and the broader community.
Authorities have arrested the alleged driver of the Sentry implicated in the crash.
Saman Ali confirmed to 964media that a driver was detained on a judge’s orders. “The driver was arrested following a complaint filed by the hospital’s police department,” Ali said.
The arrest followed preliminary investigations and statements from injured witnesses and other drivers on the road at the time, which implicated the arrested driver’s involvement in the accident.
The driver of the crashed minibus is in intensive care in a Sulaymaniyah hospital.
Shortly after the accident, the administration released two statements. The first declared the mourning period, and the second detailed an investigation to determine whether the crash was caused by non-compliance with traffic regulations or by another vehicle.
“We are committed to thoroughly investigating the circumstances, whether it was a failure to adhere to traffic guidelines or if external interference played a role,” Nouri said.
According to Saman Ali, spokesperson for the Garmiyan Traffic Directorate, the Kalar-Kifri route, completed last year, is a dual-lane road stretching approximately 45 kilometers. “The road is fully equipped with modern traffic markers and has a freshly laid asphalt surface without any potholes or speed bumps,” he told 964media.
He further clarified that today’s incident did not relate to the road’s condition. Instead, he noted that the minibus overturned while trying to avoid a collision with Sentra.
He also recalled a previous incident on this road, noting, “There was another accident last year involving a car where the driver fell asleep at the wheel, leading to three fatalities.”
The Garmiyan Traffic Directorate is continuing its investigation into the exact causes of the accident.
Following the crash, Kurdish leaders extended their condolences.
“I extend my deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims. May Almighty God grant the deceased eternal peace and provide comfort and solace to their families and friends. I also wish a swift recovery for the injured,” said Nechirvan Barzani, president of the Kurdistan Region.
Masrour Barzani, prime minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government, also expressed sympathy for the deceased and their families: “In this time of sorrow, I stand with them in solidarity. May God grant peace to the souls of the deceased and comfort to their families and companions. I hope for a quick recovery for those injured.”
Qubad Talabani, deputy prime minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government, echoed these sentiments. “In these difficult times, we stand with the families of the victims and express our heartfelt condolences and sympathies. We hope for a speedy recovery for the injured,” Talabani said.
The local community is mobilizing to support the grieving families and to enhance safety measures on regional roads to prevent future tragedies.
