A young boy was saved from a school bus after the driver locked the bus and left him behind in Hafar Al-Batin, located in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. The incident has sparked widespread concern about student safety in school transportation.
Incident Overview: A Viral Video Sparks Outrage
A video of the boy screaming for help from inside the bus, which was parked in an isolated area, went viral on social media. The quick intervention of a passerby prevented the situation from escalating into a potential tragedy, as the child could have suffered from suffocation after being forgotten in the bus.
Rafed Transportation Services' Response
The school bus is operated by Rafed Transportation Services Company. According to the company, the boy was found in good health and was rescued within an hour of the bus being parked after the morning drop-off. The company confirmed that the student was released from the bus in the presence of the competent authorities, and the student’s guardian was also present during the incident.
Commitment to Student Safety
Rafed has vowed to take the necessary legal measures to ensure the safety of students and prevent similar incidents in the future. The company emphasized its commitment to strict security and safety procedures on school buses, reiterating that it will not tolerate any negligence.
Public Reaction and Call for Accountability
The incident has triggered strong reactions on social media, with many calling for strict action against the bus driver and the transportation company. Rafed's slogan, “The child is a trust,” has been called into question as the public demands greater accountability.
Ministry of Education’s Guidelines
The Ministry of Education has reiterated that the school transportation service must ensure student safety during their journey from home to school. The ministry highlighted that Rafed failed to comply with its directives, as there was no transportation supervisor on the bus, and it was parked in an isolated area, raising concerns about the recurrence of such incidents in the future.
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