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When a 21-year-old bus plunged off a bridge into the Oued El Harrach on August 15, killing 18 and injuring 24, it didn’t just crash into a river, it sank into a lake of sewage that has been left untreated since the country’s independence.
The site, long known for its toxic pollution and foul stench, is a symbol of Algeria’s decaying public services. The tragedy, which unfolded in the heart of Algiers, has become a grim metaphor for a nation where infrastructure collapses under the weight of neglect.
The bus involved in the crash was older than many of its passengers. It was part of a fleet where nearly half of the vehicles are over 20 years old. Despite this, Algeria has maintained tight restrictions on the import of buses, spare parts, and tires for years, citing protectionist policies and domestic production goals.
These measures have left operators scrambling to keep ancient vehicles running with limited resources, while the government insists on “local solutions” that rarely materialize.
Voices are now raising asking for the resignation of the same transport minister who warned that the aging bus fleet in the country augurs ill for public transportation.
As rescue teams pulled bodies from the sewage-filled streambed, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune was notably absent from the country, enjoying a lavish holiday in Germany. While he issued condolences and declared a national day of mourning, reports suggest he was having fun in Germany.
His absence has fueled public anger, with many accusing the regime of being more invested in appearances than accountability.
Oued El Harrach, once a natural waterway, has become a dumping ground for industrial and urban waste. Studies have shown high levels of heavy metal contamination and ecological degradation.
Despite years of promises to rehabilitate the area, the river remains a toxic hazard—one that swallowed a bus full of citizens in broad daylight.
In response, the government banned buses over 30 years old – but not those aged 29 years old!
This was not just a bus accident. It was the inevitable result of a system that prioritizes control over competence, and slogans over safety. Algeria’s restrictive import policies, its crumbling infrastructure, and its polluted waterways have created a perfect storm. And while the president watches from abroad, the people are left to drown in sewage-polluted rivers.
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