Senegal: at least 40 dead in a tragic road accident
General view of the road accident following the collision of two buses, on January 8, 2023, in the locality of Sikio, Kaffrine department, in Senegal.
AFP - SHEIKH DIENG
Text by: RFI Follow
1 min
In Senegal, a terrible road accident took place on the night of Saturday to Sunday January 8.
According to the presidency, the still provisional report shows at least 40 people who died in the collision of two buses and 78 injured people, including serious cases.
It happened in the department of Kaffrine, about 250 km east of Dakar.
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With our correspondent in Dakar
,
Charlotte Idrac
This happened around 3:30 am, on National Road 1 (RN1), near the town of Sikilo.
According to the first elements of the investigation, a public passenger transport bus left its path after a tire burst.
He then "
collided frontally with another bus coming in the opposite direction
", indicates a press release from the prosecutor.
National mourning
In messages on social networks, President Macky Sall said he was "
deeply saddened by this tragic road accident
".
A national mourning is decreed from Monday, January 9 and for three days.
The Head of State also announces the holding of a Ministerial Council tomorrow Monday for "
the taking of firm measures on road safety and public passenger transport
".
It is one of the deadliest accidents in recent years in the country.
This news arouses many messages of condolence but also calls for concrete actions to avoid such tragedies.
Ministers on site
According to the prosecutor, the gendarmerie, the fire brigade as well as the emergency services are on the scene.
The Ministers of the Interior, Health and Land Transport are expected on site.
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