Dubai: The Omani driver of the Mwasalat bus that crashed in Dubai early in June killing 17 passengers on board has been released on bail, according to Sultanate’s embassy in Abu Dhabi.

In a statement issued online, the embassy said it managed to release the driver on bail.

“The embassy is pleased to announce that the appeals court in Dubai has agreed in its session today to release the citizen Saeed Al Balushi on bail until the announcement of the date of a session for lawyers to present their defense memorandum,” the embassy said. 

7-year jail term
Last month, the Dubai Traffic Court sentenced the 53-year-old driver to seven years and Dh3.4 million in blood money for the families of the victims. Dubai Traffic Court ordered the driver be deported after serving his jail term, in addition to paying a Dh50,000 fine. His license was suspended for one year.

The bus, with 31 passengers on board, was travelling from Muscat to Dubai, when it crashed into a height barrier on the road near the Al Rashidiya metro station on June 6.

Among those killed, 12 were Indian nationals, two were Pakistanis, one was an Omani national and one was an Irish national. Thirteen people were also injured.