Number of Injured in TRNC School Bus Accident Rises to 29: School Closed for Two Days

The number of people injured in a school bus accident in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) has risen to 29, prompting the Ministry of National Education to temporarily close Yeni Erenköy Secondary School. Fortunately, none of the injuries are life-threatening.

The accident happened around 1:00 PM yesterday on a secondary road east of the school. A bus carrying students on their way to Dipkarpaz veered off the road and overturned. Updated reports confirm that 29 people were injured — the bus driver and 28 students. Twenty-one of the students were taken to Famagusta State Hospital, while seven others were transferred to a hospital in Nicosia.

TRNC Prime Minister Ünal Üstel, Minister of Education Nazım Çavuşoğlu, and Minister of Health Hakan Dinçyürek visited the injured students in hospital. After the visit, Prime Minister Üstel assured the public that all the children are under medical supervision and in stable condition.

“Thank God, none of the children were seriously hurt. One student has minor injuries and is also being monitored,” Üstel said, wishing all the students a quick recovery. It’s expected that all the children will be discharged from hospital later today.

In response to the incident, the Ministry of Education announced a two-day closure of Yeni Erenköy Secondary School. Police have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the accident. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health has promised a thorough review of the incident and pledged to take preventive measures to avoid similar accidents in the future.