The municipality statement came after it was accused of negligence in the accident and the Bureau of Investigation and Prosecution was asked to question its officials.

“The two potholes on the road was not the major reason for the accident but could have contributed toward it,” the municipality said in a reply to the investigation committee.

It also pointed out that the potholes were there before the Ministry of Transport handed over the road to the municipality.

“We have not yet received the documents handing over responsibility of the road to the municipality and we did not know we were responsible for it except after the accident,” it added.

Hail Gov. Prince Saud bin Abdul Mohsen ordered an investigation into government officials who allegedly left holes in local roads unfilled, leading to the horrific accident in Muraifiq that killed the students on Nov. 20.

The prince appointed the investigation committee shortly after the accident. The committee found the driver was forced to drive on the wrong side of the road to avoid the potholes.