Sixteen travellers burnt beyond recognition in accident on Enugu road

Six travellers have died in a lone fatal motor accident that occurred at Ekwegbe, along Enugu/Opi/Nsukka Road, in Enugu state on Tuesday, April 30. 

The accident claimed the lives of yet-to-be-identified fourteen males (14) and two (2) females who burned beyond recognition. The accident involved an 18-seater white-coloured Toyota Hummer bus with a Bauchi State commercial registration number DAS 215 XA and the inscription “Masha Allah.” The bus which was said to have been driven at high speed, lost control and plunged into the fence of Maduka University along the road.

A preliminary investigation by the police revealed that the vehicle unfortunately burst into flames burning beyond recognition, the sixteen (16) deceased individuals, were taken to the hospital and confirmed dead. However, two (2) other passengers were rescued alive and taken to the hospital for medical attention by police officers, soldiers and public-spirited citizens, who immediately responded to the incident.

The preliminary investigation revealed that the vehicle, loaded with edible vegetables, other food items, and the luggage of the passengers, was heading towards Nsukka from the Enugu axis of the road. However, the actual point of take-off and final destination of the vehicle have not been ascertained. Nonetheless, the items have been recovered by the Igbo-Etiti Police Division.

Confirming the incident, the spokesperson of the command, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, said the Commissioner of Police, CP Kanayo Uzuegbu, in the company of officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps, has visited the scene to assess the situation. Uzuegbu described the accident and the carnage therein as sad, commiserating with the yet-to-be-traced family members, friends, and associates of the deceased.