Father and son

Two dead in fiery crash on Kalar-Kifri Road in Sulaymaniyah

KALAR — A collision on Sunday near the village of Wali Hayar in Sulaymaniyah left two people dead after a vehicle caught fire.

The crash occurred on the Kalar-Kifri Road involving a Mercedes-Benz and a Hyundai Sonata. Saman Ali, a spokesperson for the Garmian Traffic Police, told 964media that the victims were a father and son.

“Near the village of Wali Hayar, there is a concrete barrier. The Mercedes[-Benz] slowed down to avoid hitting it, but the other vehicle collided from behind, causing the Mercedes to catch fire,” Ali said.

The father and son, residents of the Sarqalan subdistrict, were pronounced dead, and their bodies were transported to Kalar’s forensic medicine department. The driver of the Hyundai also sustained minor injuries.

Authorities are continuing their investigation into the incident.

The crash adds to ongoing traffic concerns in the region. Traffic statistics from the first six months of 2024 in Sulaymaniyah show 111 fatalities.

In 2023, the Sulaymaniyah Traffic Directorate recorded 1,047 traffic incidents, resulting in 153 fatalities and 1,887 injuries.