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Muscat, Oman – March 23, 2025 – The Royal Oman Police (ROP) has imposed traffic restrictions in the Al-Mahal area of Samail, Al-Dakhiliyah Governorate, as crews continue cleanup and roadwork following a devastating truck accident that claimed six lives and injured 18 others on Friday evening.
Only one lane is currently open at the accident site. In a statement released Saturday night, the ROP urged drivers to use an alternative route to ease congestion: turn right at Al-Afia Bridge, then merge onto the old lane toward Muscat Governorate. Motorists are advised to maintain a safe following distance.
The accident, which occurred shortly before 8 PM on Friday, involved a tractor-trailer carrying heavy steel coils traveling east on Sultan Thuwaini bin Said Road toward Muscat. According to Mohammed bin Salam al Hashami, Director of Public Relations at the ROP, the truck driver was caught off guard by a traffic jam caused by an earlier, minor collision nearby. The driver swerved to avoid stopped vehicles and crossed into oncoming traffic, striking multiple cars.
All six victims were women from the same extended family, a tragedy that has deeply shaken the local community. Of the 18 injured, eight remain in critical condition as of Saturday, with local hospitals working to stabilize the wounded. The ROP has not released the names of the deceased out of respect for the families.
Exclusive perspective: This incident highlights the growing danger of secondary accidents on Oman’s highways, particularly on roads with heavy truck traffic. According to Dr. Hamad al Balushi, a transportation safety researcher at Sultan Qaboos University, “The combination of high-speed tractor-trailers and sudden congestion from minor accidents is a known risk. Oman has seen a 15% rise in truck-involved crashes in the past two years, and this tragedy underscores the need for better driver awareness and emergency response protocols.”
The ROP has launched an investigation into the crash, and cleanup crews are expected to work through the weekend to fully reopen the road. Authorities are also reviewing whether the truck’s load was properly secured, as steel coils can shift during sudden maneuvers.
For travelers heading to or from Muscat, the ROP recommends using the alternative route described above and avoiding the Al-Mahal stretch until further notice. Real-time traffic updates are available via the ROP’s official social media channels.
This incident comes amid a nationwide road safety campaign in Oman, which has one of the highest traffic fatality rates per capita in the Gulf region. The ROP has increased patrols and speed enforcement in recent months, but advocates say more infrastructure improvements are needed on high-risk routes like Sultan Thuwaini Road.
As the community mourns, local leaders have called for a review of trucking regulations, including mandatory rest stops and speed limiters for heavy vehicles. The ROP has pledged to incorporate lessons from this crash into future safety measures.
What to do if you are in the area: Avoid the accident zone. Use Al-Afia Bridge and the old Muscat road as an alternative. Check @ROP_OMAN on X (formerly Twitter) for the latest updates. If you witness an accident, pull over safely and call 9999.
This article was updated on March 23, 2025, with new information from the ROP and expert analysis.
