The UAE Public Prosecution has launched a formal investigation into a severe traffic accident in Fujairah that resulted in 14 deaths and approximately 30 injuries. According to Khaleej Times, the incident occurred in the early hours of Thursday, November 12, on Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Road (E84). The report details that the tragedy involved 23 vehicles and took place in a zone where the right-hand lane was closed for maintenance works. Preliminary investigations revealed that two consecutive accidents occurred in the direction of Fujairah. The first collision involved a vehicle striking a stationary truck, followed by a second crash where a truck carrying two shipping containers hit several vehicles before overturning.
The Ministry of Interior stated that the truck driver lost control, causing the initial impact that led to a chain reaction. The overturned vehicle struck multiple cars stopped in slow-moving traffic, and the truck caught fire, with the blaze spreading to other vehicles. In response to the disaster, a team from the Public Prosecution, led by Haitham Ali Al Hammadi, First Chief Prosecutor at Fujairah, inspected the scene. The authority ordered the impoundment of the involved truck and damaged vehicles for technical examinations, particularly of braking systems. Investigators are extracting data from tracking devices and speed-recording systems to determine the technical causes of the accident.
The truck driver, who was interrogated, has been placed in pretrial detention while receiving hospital treatment. His passport and driving licence have been confiscated, and laboratory tests are underway. The Ministry of Interior confirmed the nationalities of the 14 victims, identifying 10 Emiratis and four Indians. Among the 30 injured, nationalities include Emirati, Omani, Indian, Brazilian, Pakistani, Jordanian, and Egyptian. Fifteen of the injured have been discharged, while the remainder continue to receive medical care. The Public Prosecution has ordered forensic examinations and DNA testing to formally identify all victims.
Witnesses and injured individuals are providing statements to authorities, who have pledged to take appropriate legal action against those found responsible. The ministry urged motorists to strictly adhere to traffic laws and maintain safe following distances. The Federal Public Prosecution continues to conduct formal victim identification procedures to establish legal liability. The authority extended condolences to the families of the deceased and wished the injured a speedy recovery. The investigation aims to determine whether road safety requirements were observed during the incident.