UPDATES DEATH TOLL
By Laith Joneidi
AMMAN (AA) – At least 21 people have been killed by flashfloods — and at least 35 others injured — in Jordan’s Dead Sea region, local officials said Friday.
Most of those killed were students and teachers whose bus was swept away by the floods during a school trip, Jordan’s Civil-Defense Directorate said in a statement.
Speaking to reporters, Civil Defense Operations Director Farid al-Sharaa said the students and teachers — along with a number of tourists — had been visiting hot springs in the area.
According to the Directorate, a bridge has collapsed due to the flooding while a major road in the area has been closed by the authorities.
Jordanian rescue teams, meanwhile, are continuing the search for survivors.
Following the incident, Jordan's King Abdullah II canceled a scheduled visit to Bahrain and declared three days of mourning.
On Thursday, several areas of the Hashemite Kingdom were hit by flashfloods following a bout of torrential rainfall.
