Boumerdes Bus Tragedy: Hospitals Maintain Full Emergency Mobilisation as Most Survivors Stabilise

Health authorities say most survivors of the Boumerdes bus disaster are now in stable condition as hospitals across Algiers and Boumerdes continue providing intensive medical care, while the government sustains its nationwide emergency response launched under President Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s directives following the country’s deadliest road tragedy in recent years.

By Dr. Hana Saada

ALGIERS — Algeria’s health authorities remain on full emergency footing following the Boumerdes bus tragedy, with hospitals continuing intensive treatment for survivors as officials report that the majority of the injured are now in stable condition.

Maher Kandil, Secretary-General of the Algiers Directorate of Health, said all injured passengers continue to receive specialised medical care across several healthcare facilities, adding that most patients have shown encouraging signs of recovery.

“The victims remain hospitalised in various medical institutions, and the majority are currently in stable condition,” Kandil said.

To ensure rapid and specialised treatment, survivors have been distributed among several major hospitals, including Mustapha Pacha University Hospital, Salim Zemirli Specialized Emergency Hospital, Nafissa Hamoud University Hospital, Bab El Oued University Hospital, and Khemis El Khechna Public Hospital.

Health authorities confirmed that one patient receiving treatment at Khemis El Khechna Hospital is expected to be discharged after doctors determined that his condition is stable.

Kandil said the Ministry of Health immediately activated its emergency response plan following the accident, mobilising medical, paramedical and logistical resources to cope with the unprecedented influx of casualties.

“Medical, paramedical and administrative teams remain fully mobilised to ensure continuity of care under the best possible conditions. Our priority remains providing optimal medical treatment for the injured while offering continuous support to their families,” he said.

The medical response forms part of a broader nationwide mobilisation ordered by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, who declared three days of national mourning, ordered a comprehensive judicial investigation into the causes of the crash and instructed all state institutions to provide maximum assistance to victims and their relatives.

Acting on the President’s directives, Prime Minister Sifi Ghrieb visited hospitals in both Algiers and Boumerdes to review medical care being provided to survivors. He was accompanied by Interior Minister Saïd Sayoud, Health Minister Mohamed Essadik Aït Messaouden, and Minister of National Solidarity, Family and Women’s Affairs Soraya Mouloudji, who met injured passengers and bereaved families while reaffirming the state’s commitment to supporting them throughout the crisis.

Beyond the healthcare response, public authorities have mobilised vocational training centres and accommodation facilities across Boumerdes and Algiers to receive and host victims’ relatives, ensuring suitable lodging and social support during the difficult period following the tragedy.

The humanitarian effort has also been reinforced by the Algerian Red Crescent, whose volunteers continue assisting families, providing psychological first aid, coordinating humanitarian assistance and supporting nationwide blood donation campaigns launched in response to the emergency.

Meanwhile, Interior Minister Saïd Sayoud, accompanied by Health Minister Mohamed Essadik Aït Messaouden, travelled to El Eulma in Setif on Saturday to attend the funeral ceremonies of the victims on behalf of President Tebboune. Thousands of mourners gathered as many of the victims were laid to rest in an atmosphere of profound national grief after their remains were transferred from Boumerdes Hospital to Setif before being returned to their families for burial.

The Boumerdes bus disaster has so far claimed 28 lives and left 41 people injured, making it one of Algeria’s deadliest road accidents in recent years. While medical teams continue working around the clock to care for survivors, judicial authorities and the National Gendarmerie are pursuing investigations to determine the circumstances surrounding the crash as the country continues to mourn the victims.