Locals demand action a year on from Basra crash that killed six schoolchildren

BASRA — Residents of Al-Hartha in Basra gathered Friday evening ahead of the first anniversary of a crash that claimed the lives of six students. The solemn vigil, with candles lit in memory of the victims, underscored lingering frustration over what locals perceive as unfulfilled government promises to improve road safety.

The crash occurred on April 2 last year, when students from Al-Sayyida Zaynab Primary School were crossing the main road after classes. A speeding truck loaded with dairy products struck them, killing six children instantly and injuring 14 others. Witnesses said the driver appeared to lose control, crashing into a parked car before slamming into an electricity pole. It shocked the nation, with local authorities across Iraq responding with new measures.

“We have pleaded multiple times for pedestrian bridges or designated crossings for students, but our demands fell on deaf ears,” said Ahmed Firas, an eyewitness to the tragedy.

The nationwide outrage prompted visits from top officials who pledged to build pedestrian bridges and relocate schools away from hazardous roads. Basra Governor Asaad Al-Eidani declared three days of mourning.

Yet, a year later, residents say little has changed. Standing at the crash site, they expressed anger over the lack of progress.

“We mourn our children again today, but we also mourn the truthfulness of our leaders,” said Ammar Abdul-Hay, an Al-Hartha resident. “A year ago, this place was packed with officials posing for photos and making grand promises. Today, all we have is a single concrete foundation for a pedestrian bridge—funded not by the government, but by a European Union-backed organization.”

Abdul-Hay accused authorities of neglecting the town’s safety concerns. “Our message is clear: This tragedy will not be forgotten. We will use it to demand our rights and push back against the marginalization we’ve endured for years.”

Many residents say the local government has misplaced its spending priorities.

“Ramadan is somber in northern Basra. The people of Al-Hartha have always made sacrifices, yet they receive nothing in return,” said Abbas Turki, another resident. “A full year has passed, and the governorate has failed to implement the promises made to us—or even the prime minister’s recommendations.”

The Iraqi Council of Ministers announced on June 10, 2024 that it has approved a decision to grant 200-square-meter residential plots to the families of students who lost their lives in the traffic tragedy. According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, the decision was made for “fairness to the families of the victims”.

Turki criticized local authorities for what he described as wasteful spending.

“The local government wasted hundreds of millions of dinars decorating the city with lanterns, but they couldn’t allocate 150 million dinars ($101,350) to build a single pedestrian bridge in Al-Hartha,” he said.

He also pointed to the lack of medical facilities, saying ambulances remain the only lifeline for residents in need of urgent care.

“These ambulances transporting patients prove our town still doesn’t have a hospital—let alone the other essential services we lack,” he said. “Our government remains preoccupied with wasting money instead of addressing the basic needs of its people.”