A fatal road accident involving a Carina E vehicle and a coastal bus resulted in three deaths in Bangou, West Region of Cameroon, on Monday, September 23, 2024.
According to a witness who was working at a nearby garage, the crash occurred when the Carina E attempted to join the main road without proper precautions. “The Carina E was entering the road without taking precautions when it got hit from the driver’s side by the bus,” the witness recounted in an amateur video.
The impact left the Carina E severely damaged, trapping all three occupants inside. In the absence of timely rescue efforts, the local population quickly mobilized to help. Using axes and sticks, they carefully broke open the wreckage in hopes of saving the victims. Sadly, all three occupants were declared dead at the scene.
Despite numerous road safety campaigns and efforts by the Ministry of Transport in Cameroon, road accidents continue to claim lives. Many blame the high number of accidents on the poor state of the roads, lack of traffic signs, and reckless driving.
Background on Road Accidents in Cameroon
Cameroon faces a significant challenge with road safety. The country records an average of 16,583 road accidents each year, resulting in over 1,000 fatalities according to official figures, and over 6,000 according to World Health Organization estimates. Poor road infrastructure, including narrow and poorly maintained roads, contributes significantly to these accidents. Additionally, human factors such as driver inattention, excessive speed, and poor driving skills are major causes, with many drivers operating without legal licenses or using fake ones.
Efforts to improve road safety have been ongoing, but the combination of inadequate infrastructure and reckless driving continues to pose a severe risk to road users in Cameroon.
Growing Concern
Recent reports from MMI highlight the ongoing issue of road safety in Cameroon. For instance, a tragic accident on the infamous Dschang Hill resulted in eight deaths and 62 injuries when a bus lost control and fell into a ravine. In Buea, a collision involving multiple vehicles led to several fatalities and numerous injuries. Similarly, in Limbe, a head-on collision between two buses caused significant casualties.
