Tears as Bus Accident Claims 37 Lives After River Tragedy
- A tragic bus accident in Benin has claimed 37 lives after plunging into the Oueme River over the weekend
- Rescue teams continue to search for six missing passengers as authorities confirm the vehicle was carrying nationals from several countries
- The incident has reignited concerns over regional travel routes amid ongoing border tensions between Benin and Niger
Rescue teams in Benin have recovered ten additional bodies from the Oueme River following a devastating bus accident over the weekend, bringing the confirmed death toll to 37, officials told AFP on Wednesday.
According to Abdel Aziz Bio Djibril, director of the country’s civil protection authority, the bus plunged off a bridge into the river during the night between Saturday and Sunday.
Source: Getty Images
He confirmed that six passengers remain missing and that search operations are still underway.
“On the first day, 27 bodies were fished out, and on the second day, 10 bodies, which makes a total of 37 bodies fished out,” Bio Djibril stated.
Nine survivors were rescued and hospitalised on Sunday. Authorities reported that all were in stable condition.
Bus departed from Togo with 52 passengers
The ill-fated vehicle, operated by the transport company STM, had departed from Lomé, the capital of neighbouring Togo, carrying 52 passengers. The accident occurred along the Interstate 2 highway, a major route stretching from Benin’s economic hub Cotonou to Malanville in the north, near the border with Niger.
“There are many Nigeriens among the passengers, but also Beninese and likely other foreign nationals,” Bio Djibril said.
Border tensions complicate travel routes
The tragedy has drawn renewed attention to the ongoing diplomatic tensions between Benin and Niger. A two-year-long border standoff has forced many travellers heading to Niamey, Niger’s capital, to disembark in Malanville and cross the border unofficially.
Authorities have not yet confirmed whether the diplomatic situation played a role in the passengers’ travel arrangements or the accident itself. Search efforts continue as families await news of the remaining missing individuals.
Source: Legit.ng
