DAMASCUS — A devastating traffic accident in central Syria has left at least 35 people dead and 30 others injured after two passenger buses collided head-on on a major desert highway.

The catastrophic crash occurred on the route connecting the cities of Deir ez-Zor and Damascus, near the areas of Palmyra and Al-Sukhnah. According to official reports, the collision involved a civilian transport bus and another vehicle carrying personnel from Syria's Internal Security Forces. The violent impact caused both buses to instantly burst into flames.

Mass Emergency Response

Following the incident, the Syrian Ministry of Defense launched an immediate emergency rescue operation. Multiple military helicopters and Civil Defense ambulances were dispatched to the remote site to transport survivors to the Homs Military Hospital.

Medical authorities report that several of the injured remain in critical condition, and the death toll could potentially rise. Local law enforcement and traffic officials have opened a formal investigation to determine the exact cause of the crash.