Baghdad, Iraq – Residents of Al-Hartha in Basra gathered on Friday evening to mark the first anniversary of a tragic crash that claimed the lives of six students. The memorial, lit with candles in honor of the victims, highlighted ongoing frustration.
The crash occurred on April 2 of the previous year, when students from a local primary school were crossing a main road after classes. A speeding truck carrying dairy products struck them, killing six children instantly and injuring 14 others. Witnesses reported that the driver appeared to lose control, crashing into a parked car before hitting an electricity pole. The incident shocked the nation, leading local authorities to introduce new safety measures.
“We’ve repeatedly asked for pedestrian bridges or designated crossings for students, but nothing has been done,” said Ahmed Firas, a witness to the tragedy.
The incident sparked national outrage and visits from high-ranking officials who promised to build pedestrian bridges and move schools away from dangerous roads. The Governor of Basra, Asaad Al-Eidani, declared three days of mourning.
However, a year later, residents say little progress has been made. Standing at the crash site, they voiced their anger over the lack of action.
“We mourn our children again today, but we also mourn the failure of our leaders,” said Ammar Abdul-Hay, a local resident. “A year ago, officials came here with grand promises. Now, all we have is one concrete foundation for a pedestrian bridge—funded not by the government, but by an EU-backed organization.”
Abdul-Hay accused authorities of neglecting the town’s safety concerns. “This tragedy will not be forgotten. We’ll use it to demand our rights and fight against the neglect we’ve faced for years.”
Many locals believe the government has mismanaged its resources.
“Ramadan is quiet in northern Basra. The people of Al-Hartha have always sacrificed, but we get nothing in return,” said Abbas Turki, another resident. “A year has passed, and the local government hasn’t followed through on the promises made to us, nor on the recommendations of the prime minister.”
In response, the Iraqi government announced in June 2024 that families of the victims would receive 200-square-meter residential plots as compensation.
Turki criticized the local government for spending recklessly. “They wasted hundreds of millions of dinars on city decorations, but couldn’t find 150 million dinars ($101,350) to build a pedestrian bridge here,” he said.
He also pointed out the lack of medical facilities, noting that ambulances are still the only option for emergency care.
“These ambulances show that our town still doesn’t have a hospital, or any of the essential services we need,” Turki added. “The government continues to waste money instead of meeting the basic needs of its people.”
