Two British women have been killed in a crash in Oman after the car they were travelling in veered off the road, police have said.

Officers said they were investigating driver culpability following the incident in Salalah, close to the border with Yemen.

A British man is understood to be in a stable condition in hospital after being injured in the crash, which happened on Thursday.

Investigators are looking into whether the driver had a licence, and a post on social media from the Royal Oman police said initial conclusions indicated “the cause of the accident [was] the driver’s deviation from the track”.

Oman’s tourism ministry said: “It is with deep regret that [we have] learned of the accident that took place near the market in Salalah, which affected three British citizens and resulted in the death of two ladies, while a gentleman was injured and is in a stable condition.

“The ministry would like to express its deepest condolences to the families of the two victims of this tragic and painful accident, and it wishes the injured a speedy recovery and a safe return to his home country.

“The ministry is liaising closely with all relevant authorities in order to provide assistance whenever needed.”

The identity of the victims and how long they have been in Oman for is not yet known.

Thousands of Britons visit Oman every year, and the Foreign Office says most visits are trouble-free.

But the department warns: “You should maintain a high level of security awareness and take care in public places and on the roads.

“Driving standards in Oman are not always as disciplined as those in the UK, and the rate of traffic accidents in Oman is significantly higher.”