UAE: Nine deaths and multiple injuries were reported after a bus carrying construction workers overturned on Sunday in Khor Fakkan. The Sharjah Police confirmed the accident, saying 73 passengers were rescued after the bus flipped over as its brakes failed.

The accident happened at Wadi Wishi Square, which is located at the entrance of the Khor Fakkan city. Emergency officials arrived at the site and offered first-aid to those rescued from the bus, before they were moved to hospitals for treatment.

Dr Ali Al Hamoudi, director of the Eastern Region Police Department, said the nature of injuries ranged from severe to minor. Dr Ali said the preliminary investigations indicate the driver lost control over the vehicle after its brakes failed.

According to social workers, the Arab and Asian men involved were all workers of a company based in Ajman. “They had travelled to Ajman on their day off to visit the company HQ and do some shopping for food items in that area,” said Saleem, a social worker with the Kerala Muslim Cultural Centre (KMCC). “They were returning a little after 8pm,” he added.

Saleem, who visited the workers admitted in Khorfakkan hospital, said that many of them were in a state of shock and unclear on the details. “Many…were still trying to piece together what happened.”