Motorcyclist killed in high-speed crash

NAJAF — A motorcyclist lost his life on Saturday evening after losing control of his bike due to excessive speed and colliding with a car on the Najaf Airport road. The impact split the motorcycle into two pieces, killing the rider instantly.

A witness told 964media, “The motorcyclist was driving recklessly, which led to the collision with the vehicle. The force of the crash caused the motorcycle to break into two.”

The body was transported to Al-Sadr Hospital by traffic police and emergency services.

Traffic accidents remain a significant concern in Iraq. Four people were killed, and three others injured on Friday after a large cement mixer truck crashed into a parked minibus near the Mustafa Al-Ani Mosque in Baghdad’s Waziriya district.

In 2023, Iraq reported 11,552 traffic accidents, resulting in 3,019 deaths and 12,314 injuries, reflecting a slight increase compared to 2022, which recorded 11,523 accidents and 3,021 fatalities. Driver error was responsible for approximately 79% of the incidents, with vehicle malfunctions and poor road conditions accounting for the rest.