Your Route to Real News

At least 40 killed and 78 injured as two buses collide in horror smash

1247     0
At least 40 killed and 78 injured as two buses collide in horror smash
At least 40 killed and 78 injured as two buses collide in horror smash

AT least 40 people have died and 78 have been left injured after two buses crashed in Senegal.

President Macky Sall declared three days of mourning after the horror collision in the early hours of Sunday.

The crash has killed at least 40 people qhiukiqrihtprw
The crash has killed at least 40 peopleCredit: AFP

"I am deeply saddened by the tragic road accident today in Gniby causing 40 deaths and many serious injuries," he said.

"I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and wish a speedy recovery to the injured."

Public prosecutor Cheikh Dieng said the crash happened on National Road No. 1 when a public bus punctured a tyre and veered across the road, colliding head-on with another bus coming from the opposite direction.

MPs kicked pregnant colleague in the stomach after budget debate turns violentMPs kicked pregnant colleague in the stomach after budget debate turns violent

"At least 78 people are injured, some of them seriously," he said.

Following the accident at 3.15am local time, all the victims were rushed to a Kaffrine hospital and medical centre.

Images of the crash showed the horror wreckage of the buses and debris strewn across the road.

The vehicles have since been cleared and normal traffic has resumed, officials said.

The governor and local officials have visited the scene of the tragedy.

Road accidents are common in Senegal, largely because of driver indiscipline, poor roads and decrepit vehicles.

In 2017, at least 25 people died in another bus crash.

Sunday's crash is one of the highest death tolls from a single incident in recent years.

Pictures showed the wreckage on the road side after two buses collided
Pictures showed the wreckage on the road side after two buses collidedCredit: AFP

Rebecca Husselbee

Print page

Comments:

comments powered by Disqus