A crash between two vehicles in Wilayat Haima has left eight dead, according to a statement from the Royal Oman Police (ROP).

Of the eight casualties, six were Omani citizens while two were Yemeni nationals.

The accident took place 30 kilometres south of Haima, and two of the injured were airlifted to a hospital in Nizwa.

And early statement from the ROP read, "A collision between two vehicles, 30 km south of Haima, resulted in five deaths and seven injuries between moderate to severe."

The ROP then said the death toll from the crash had risen to eight: "The number of fatalities has increased to eight deaths, in which six were citizens and two Yemeni nationals."

A preliminary investigation by the ROP revealed that the accident was caused by a tyre blowout.

"Preliminary information about the traffic accident in Haima shows that the accident occurred as a result of one of the vehicle's tires bursting, as the vehicle then deviated to the opposite lane and collided with the other vehicle," a police statement read.

The ROP added, "The Royal Oman Police calls on drivers to use original tires with the correct measurements and dates, to reduce the frequency of repeated tire bursting incidents on this road.

"The ROP also calls on drivers to avoid exhaustion and speeding while driving."

Source: Timesofoman