ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - A truck on Tuesday ran over 20 students near a school in Basra province, killing at least six of them. The driver has been arrested, according to a spokesperson for the interior ministry.
"Basra province's police arrested the driver of a refrigerator truck who ran over six school students, killing them. He also injured 14 others with various injuries," Miqdad Miri said in a statement, adding that the incident took place in the al-Hartha city north of Basra.
The spokesperson also said that the driver had claimed during his initial confession that he lost control of the vehicle due to a brake failure.
Nazir Shawi, Hartha mayor, told Rudaw earlier in the day that the deadly incident occurred in front of Zaynab Primary School when the students were returning home.
He expected the death toll to go up.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani spoke on the phone with the governor of Basra, ordering an investigation into the incident.
Car accidents are a common occurrence in Iraq especially during times of holidays, religious ceremonies, and special events.
Updated at 8:30 pm
