A collision between two passenger buses on the Deir al-Zor-Damascus highway has resulted in at least 35 deaths and 30 injuries.

At least 35 people were killed and 30 others injured on Saturday following a head-on collision between two passenger buses on a highway in eastern Syria. The accident occurred on the route connecting Deir al-Zor and Damascus, specifically between the towns of Al-Sukhnah and Palmyra. Syrian state media reported the incident as one of the country's deadliest road accidents in recent years.

Details of the Crash and Response

The Interior Ministry stated that one of the buses involved was transporting civilian passengers, while the other was carrying members of the Internal Security Forces. Following the impact, a fire broke out, which was extinguished by responding firefighters. Syrian Civil Defence teams and emergency crews provided medical aid at the scene before transferring survivors to hospitals. The Defense Ministry utilized military helicopters to evacuate the injured and recover the deceased. Victims were airlifted from Palmyra airport to a military hospital in Homs for medical treatment and further procedures. An investigation into the cause of the collision is currently underway, though authorities have not yet identified whether speed, mechanical failure, or road conditions were factors.

Infrastructure and Road Safety

The accident highlights ongoing road safety issues in Syria, where years of conflict have significantly damaged transportation infrastructure. Major highways suffer from limited maintenance, resulting in poor lighting, inadequate signage, and deteriorated road surfaces. Syrian Civil Defence teams reported responding to approximately 3,000 traffic accidents across the country in 2025.