Emergency personnel and bystanders gather near the scene of a fatal collision on the Kirkuk-Baghdad highway during a dust storm that severely reduced visibility.
Two children injured
Four killed in crash near Tuz Khurmatu checkpoint
KIRKUK — Four people were killed and two children seriously injured in a traffic accident Monday on the main Kirkuk–Baghdad highway near the Sarha checkpoint in Tuz Khurmatu, according to local traffic authorities.
Muayad Abbas, director of traffic in Tuz Khurmatu, told 964media the crash involved a heavy truck and a passenger vehicle.
“The accident occurred between a truck and a private car near the Sarha checkpoint. Four people lost their lives, and two others — both children — were injured,” he said.
Abbas said the truck had come to a sudden stop near the checkpoint, and the passenger car, approaching at high speed, collided with it. He added that a heavy dust storm contributed to poor visibility at the time of the crash. The region has been facing dust storms in recent days.
“The victims include two women and two men,” Abbas said. “The two injured children sustained serious wounds and were taken to Azadi Hospital in Kirkuk for treatment.”
All six victims were members of two families, he added.