Sixteen passengers onboard a Toyota Hummer bus were burnt beyond recognition when the bus burst into flames after plunging into a fence along Enugu/Opi/Nsukka Road in Ekwegbe in the Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area of Enugu State.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, revealed this in a statement on Tuesday night.
According to the police spokesman, the accident occurred at about 5:20pm, on Tuesday.
He said the passengers, who died in the crash, comprised 14 males and two females.
According to him, the driver of the 18-seater bus was on high speed, lost control and plunged into the fence of Maduka University along the road.
He said, “A preliminary investigation reveals that the vehicle unfortunately burst into flames burning beyond recognition the 16 travellers, who were taken to the hospital and confirmed dead.
“However, two 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.”
He said the vehicle was loaded with vegetables and other food items, noting that a preliminary investigation showed the vehicle was heading towards Nsukka from the Enugu axis of the road, but its actual take-off point and final destination had not been ascertained.
He further revealed the Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, Kanayo Uzuegbu, had visited the scene of the accident in the company of officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps to assess the situation.
The police boss commiserated with the family members, friends, and relatives of the deceased victims.
