Jordan's king approves resignation of 2 ministers

Jordan's King Abdullah II approved on Sunday the resignation of two Jordanian ministers following the Dead Sea flash floods that killed 21 people.

A royal decree was issued to approve the resignation of Jordan's Minister of Education Azmi Mahafza and Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Lina Annab.

The two minister submitted their resignations on Nov. 1 following public uproar in the aftermath of the deadly flash floods that killed 21 Jordanians and Iraqis, mostly schoolchildren on a school trip.

King Abdullah II ordered the formation of a committee to conduct an investigation into the accident, which occurred on Oct. 25 near the Dead Sea area.

The two ministers' resignation came after demands by citizens on social media as well as calls by lawmakers and activists for the resignation of those who are responsible for the accident.

Jordan's Ministry of Education said that the school, which organized the trip to the Dead Sea area, violated the law as it had received approval to hold the trip to Al Azraq area, but later changed the route despite warning by the Civil Defence Department and the Jordan Meteorological Department of heavy rainfall that caused the flash floods.