A seven-year-old schoolgirl died after she was hit by a vehicle, officials have confirmed.

The girl was believed to be walking home from school when she was struck by either a car or a bus, according to sources. 

In October last year, a 14-year-old student was hit by a vehicle and died while walking home from extra tuition classes.

Zafeer was knocked over and killed as he crossed a side road in Ruwi, near Hamriya roundabout. He had just returned from tuition lessons and left his friends so he could return home faster.

According to data from the National Centre for Statistics and Information, accident rates in 2016 dropped compared to 2015. However, the death rate increased, especially among expat drivers.

Compared to 6,279 accidents in 2015, 2016 witnessed 4,219 traffic accidents, reflecting a drop of 32.8 per cent. However, compared to 675 people who lost their lives in road accidents in 2015, 692 died in such accidents in 2016.

Source: Timesofoman