Bus crash in Turkiye kills 8, including infant
ISTANBUL, May 31: At least eight people, including a nine-month-old baby, were killed when a passenger bus crashed and caught fire in western Turkiye early Sunday, according to local media reports. The bus, operated by Pamukkale Tourism, was travelling from Izmir to the Mediterranean city of Antalya when it struck highway barriers in Denizli province at around 1:40 a.m. local time. The vehicle was carrying 38 passengers and three crew members at the time of the accident. Authorities said 33 people were injured and taken for treatment. Among those killed were the 50-year-old driver and the infant’s father. Images from the scene showed the bus completely burned out along the roadside. The crash occurred on the final day of Eid al-Adha, a period that typically sees heavy travel across Turkiye and a rise in road accidents as people visit family and holiday destinations. (AP)
Five Ebola patients recover in Congo, says WHO
BUNAI, May 31: Five patients have recovered from the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola in eastern Congo, prompting cautious optimism among health officials battling the outbreak. During the opening of a new Ebola treatment centre in Bunia, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said four patients were discharged on Sunday and another had recovered earlier in the week. The WHO recently confirmed the first documented recovery of a patient infected with the Bundibugyo virus during the current outbreak, despite there being no approved vaccine or treatment for the strain. Official figures show 906 suspected cases and 223 suspected deaths, while neighbouring Uganda has reported nine cases and one death. Health workers warn the virus is spreading faster than response efforts. Insecurity, attacks on health facilities, and resistance to medical protocols have complicated containment measures. However, officials stressed that early treatment can improve survival rates and expressed confidence that the outbreak can be brought under control. (AP)
Hundreds held in France after PSG victory clashes
PARIS, May 31: French police detained 780 people after violent clashes erupted in Paris and other cities following Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League triumph. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said 57 police officers were injured, mostly with minor wounds, as some fans set fires, vandalised shops and attempted to storm a police station in Paris. While authorities reported that most celebrations were peaceful, disturbances occurred mainly around the Champs-Elysees and Parc des Princes stadium. Police also intervened several times to prevent road blockages around the capital. According to prosecutors, 277 people, including 82 minors, were placed in custody on charges ranging from assaulting police officers to theft, vandalism and public disorder. One serious incident involved a car crashing into a restaurant terrace, injuring two people. Despite the unrest, planned PSG victory celebrations and a reception hosted by President Emmanuel Macron were set to proceed. (AP)
