Muscat – The incident, which took place in April 2024, saw the deaths of ten students, aged between 10 and 15, when their vehicle was swept away by a flooded wadi in the Niyabat of Samad Al Shan, located in the Wilayat of Al Mudhaibi.

In response to a question regarding the incident, the Minister confirmed that a criminal ruling had been issued against the guardian involved, following a complaint from the Public Prosecution. Her Excellency stated that a financial claim had also been filed with the competent court in relation to the tragedy.
The Minister clarified that the school itself was not directly affected by the rain, and that the situation was caused by the decision of parents, including the guardian in question, to take their children during the inclement weather.

The Minister further emphasised that the Ministry of Education has a clear protocol for handling crises and emergencies, which includes a crisis management guide that has been distributed to schools. In response to weather warnings from the Civil Aviation Authority, relevant general managers were immediately contacted and given the authority to suspend classes and shift to distance learning, ensuring that student safety remains a priority during extreme weather conditions.