18 killed, Jordan flash floods sweeps away school bus near Dead Sea

Friday, October 26, 2018

Raging floodwaters swept away a school bus near the Dead Sea killing at least 18 people mostly children.

Major rescue operation is launched and hospitals in the area are put on high alert.

On Thursday, Jordan launched a major operation to look for survivors that involved army divers, neighboring Israel was assisting in search and rescue helicopters.

So far 34 people were rescued while some were in serious condition as per the Jordanian civil sources. About 40 children and their teachers were travelling in the bus.

Those killed were children under 14 and number of families picnicking in the destination also got killed and injured stated a rescuers who could not quote the exact number.

The number of causalities was expected to rise mentioned  a civil defence  official and hospitals in the area were put on high alert.

The Israeli Defence Forces said that the Israel’s police and military said that their forces were sent at the request of the Jordanian government.

After summer the region was bracing on Thursday for the first winter storm. Heavy rainfall and high winds were expected.

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