A devastating accident on the Enugu/Opi/Nsukka Road in Ekwegbe, Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area of Enugu State, resulted in the loss of sixteen lives when a Toyota Hummer bus burst into flames after crashing into a fence. The tragic incident occurred at approximately 5:20pm on Tuesday, as confirmed by the Enugu State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Daniel Ndukwe.
According to DSP Ndukwe, the passengers onboard the 18-seater bus, consisting of 14 males and two females, were burnt beyond recognition due to the vehicle catching fire upon impact. The driver, allegedly speeding at the time, lost control of the bus, leading to the collision with the fence of Maduka University along the road.
Efforts by police officers, soldiers, and concerned citizens swiftly responded to the scene, rescuing two survivors who were immediately rushed to the hospital for medical attention. The bus, loaded with vegetables and other food items, was reportedly traveling from an unidentified point towards Nsukka from the Enugu direction, though specifics regarding its origin and final destination remain unclear.
Enugu State Commissioner of Police, Kanayo Uzuegbu, accompanied by officials from the Federal Road Safety Corps, visited the accident site to assess the situation and offer condolences to the bereaved families, friends, and relatives of the deceased victims.
The tragic incident serves as a somber reminder of the dangers of road travel and underscores the importance of adhering to safety regulations to prevent such heartbreaking losses in the future.
