Head-on crash kills 33 in Morocco

A fiery head-on collision between a semi truck and a bus transporting a group of young athletes in southern Morocco on Friday killed thirty-three people and injured seven. The tragic crash took place just before sunrise at 7:00 a.m. Friday in the district of Chbika (near the southern desert city of Tan-Tan). The bus caught fire after crashing into a tanker truck carrying hydrocarbons. The bus was carrying young athletes and officials from the Ministry of Youth and Sports who were on their way to a national sports competition. The young victims were from the northern town of Bouznika and from Laayoune, a city further to the south in the annexed Western Sahara territory. Renowned 10-kilometer runner Hassan Issengar, 31, was also among the dead. According to the U.S. State Department website, car accidents are a “significant hazard” in Morocco. Although there are modern highways separating the main cities, the rest of the country is served by two lane roads, often in a deplorable condition. Foolhardy driving habits, such as overtaking on curves, are recurrent.