At least 25 people were killed and 44 others injured after a passenger bus plunged into a ravine in Algeria on Friday, according to the country’s Civil Defence agency.

The accident occurred near the coastal town of Boumerdes, east of the capital Algiers, when the bus veered off the road and fell into a ravine for reasons that remain unknown.

Civil Defence officials said emergency response teams reached the scene at around 9:40 am local time (0840 GMT) to rescue passengers and provide medical assistance. Authorities warned that the death toll could rise as several of the injured remain in critical condition.

The crash is one of the deadliest road accidents in Algeria in recent years.

Algeria has witnessed several fatal bus accidents in recent years. In August last year, a bus plunged into a ravine near Algiers, killing 18 people. In December, another bus overturned in the southern region of Bechar, leaving 14 people dead.

According to Algerian road safety authorities, human error, particularly speeding, remains the leading cause of road accidents across the country.

Official statistics show that 3,838 people were killed and more than 37,000 injured in traffic accidents across Algeria in 2025, highlighting the country’s ongoing road safety challenges.