Four dead in Baghdad collision as cement mixer crashes into parked minibus

BAGHDAD — Four people lost their lives, and three others sustained injuries on Friday when a large cement mixer truck collided with a stationary minibus near the Mustafa Al-Ani Mosque in Baghdad’s Waziriya district.

Eyewitnesses reported that the truck driver appeared to lose control, resulting in a crash with the parked minibus. “The driver seemed to lose control of the cement mixer, which then struck the minibus, killing four people instantly and injuring three others, all of whom were inside the minibus,” a witness told 964media.

Emergency responders transported the injured to a nearby hospital, while the deceased were taken to the forensic medicine department for legal procedures.

Security forces promptly arrived at the scene and initiated an investigation. Preliminary findings suggest that the truck driver may have fallen asleep or experienced a technical malfunction, leading to the collision.

Traffic accidents remain a significant concern in Iraq. In 2023, the country recorded 11,552 traffic accidents, resulting in 3,019 fatalities and 12,314 injuries. This marked a slight increase from 2022, which saw 11,523 accidents and 3,021 deaths. Driver error accounted for approximately 79% of these incidents, with vehicle-related issues and poor road conditions contributing to the remainder. .

The Iraqi government has acknowledged the urgent need to address road safety and is implementing measures to reduce traffic-related fatalities and injuries. These initiatives include public awareness campaigns, stricter traffic law enforcement, and infrastructure improvements aimed at enhancing road safety nationwide.