RIYADH: Nine people died, most of them children, and three were injured when two vehicles collided on Madinah-Hail Road on Friday morning, an official from the Saudi Red Crescent Authority announced in Riyadh.
"It was a head on collision 10 km north of Hail in the direction of Madinah,” Khaled Al-Sahli, official spokesman for the Red Crescent in the region, said. He added that the Red Crescent received notification of the incident through its toll free number 997 in the early hours of the morning. "We immediately sent three ambulances to the accident site, supported with medics and paramedics,” he recalled.
The Red Crescent admitted the three injured patients to the General Hospital in Hanakiya, and their condition is yet to be determined by the doctors. The bodies of the dead have been sent to the nearest government morgue to complete all of the necessary burial formalities.
During the holy month, many accidents happen just before iftar time, or in the early hours of the morning when motorists are rushing to beat the suhoor traffic. The traffic department has warned motorists to drive carefully during these times since everyone wants to reach their destination on time.
Director of Asir Traffic, Col. Abdullah bin Howeiz, said that traffic accidents increase before iftar during the holy month since many people are in a hurry. He said that the directorate is implementing a traffic plan to intensify traffic patrols in markets and surrounding Ramadan kiosks to ease congestion and organize traffic movement.
In addition to the recent collision, last week a horrific road accident on the Riyadh-Qassim Highway claimed the lives of 12 expatriates just before iftar. This accident was the result of a head-on collision between a bus and a truck, which caused the two vehicles to catch fire. Many of the victims were burned beyond recognition. Nearly 35 people have been injured so far this season, all of them expatriates.
Nine killed in road accident near Hail
Nine killed in road accident near Hail
Children’s Theater Festival opens in Qassim region
- To develop future ‘cultural architects,’ says CEO Khaled Al-Baz
- ‘Nurture creativity, aesthetic awareness and sense of belonging’
BURAIDAH: The Qassim Children’s Theater Festival opened on Tuesday bringing together professionals from across Saudi Arabia and the Gulf.
The event is being held under the patronage of Prince Dr. Faisal bin Mishaal bin Saud bin Abdulaziz, governor of Qassim, at the Science Center in Unaizah governorate.
It has been Organized by the Theater and Performing Arts Association and executed by the Unaizah Theater Association, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Running until Jan. 31, it features shows, panel discussions, as well as training workshops to develop children’s theater and strengthen professional skills in the field.
Khaled Al-Baz, CEO of the Theater and Performing Arts Association, told the SPA the festival forms part of a broader strategy to position children’s theater as a distinct cultural sector.
“Children today constitute genuine audiences — tomorrow’s cultural architects,” Al-Baz said.
Ahmed Al-Humaimidi, president of the Unaizah Theater Association, said it was an investment in young people, noting that it extends beyond performances to include cultural and educational programming.
He said the initiative aims to nurture creativity, aesthetic awareness and a sense of belonging, while also identifying emerging talent and encouraging knowledge exchange among theater practitioners.
“Our association recognizes children’s theater as foundational to cultivating aware, creative character,” he said.
The festival serves as both an artistic showcase and a platform for professional dialogue, reflecting the Kingdom’s expanding cultural landscape and growing focus on children’s theater as an educational and cultural tool, the SPA noted.
This occurs alongside support for signature initiatives and performing arts promotion as quality-of-life enhancement.
