Authorities in Algeria say the driver of the bus involved in Friday’s deadly crash near Boumerdes was under the influence of narcotics, travelling at more than twice the legal speed limit and operating an overcrowded vehicle when it plunged into a ravine.
Prosecutors announced the preliminary findings on Sunday, revealing investigators also recovered two psychotropic pills from the driver’s possession. The driver was among the 28 people killed in one of the country’s deadliest road accidents in recent years.
The investigation found the bus was travelling at 121.63 km/h on a road where the speed limit was 60 km/h between Boumerdes and the neighbouring town of Zemmouri.
Officials also said the bus was carrying 64 people, despite being licensed to transport a maximum of 51 passengers, including the driver. The crash left 36 others injured, according to the latest official toll.
President Abdelmadjid Tebboune vowed that those responsible would be held accountable once the investigation is complete, saying authorities would act with “an iron fist” after establishing the full circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
The crash has renewed concerns over road safety in Algeria, where officials say human error remains the primary cause of traffic accidents. Speeding, driver inattention, dangerous overtaking and reckless driving account for more than 96% of road crashes nationwide.
Official data shows 3,838 people were killed and more than 37,000 injured in 26,976 road accidents across Algeria in 2025, highlighting the country’s ongoing struggle to reduce traffic fatalities.
