At least five lives were lost and around 20 people sustained injuries in a fatal collision this morning along the Douala-Bafoussam road.
The victims, occupants of a Coaster bus en route from Bafoussam to Douala, met a tragic fate as their vehicle collided violently with a tanker truck carrying red oil in the locality of Koumbé, in Mbanga Subdivision.
Reports suggest that the tanker truck, possibly experiencing a breakdown, veered onto the public highway, colliding with the Coaster bus.
Among the casualties was the Coaster’s driver, adding to the toll of five fatalities.
At the accident site, emergency responders attended to 16 injured individuals, while the deceased were transported to the morgue of the Mbanga District Hospital.
Those injured are currently under medical supervision at both the Mbanga District Hospital and the Saint Jean Malte hospital in Njombé.
Authorities, including the Divisional Officer of Mbanga, Christine Temboh Nkemfor, and security forces, were present to coordinate relief efforts, primarily conducted by the national gendarmerie.
Koumbé, not unfamiliar with such unfortunate events, had previously witnessed a fatal accident in June 2021.
In that incident, a small personal vehicle traveling from Douala to Nkongsamba lost control due to brake failure, resulting in the deaths of three individuals, including two women and the car’s driver.
The recent accident underscores the perilous state of the Douala-Bafoussam national road, particularly in the Moungo Division, where the road, constructed over 60 years ago, has faced deterioration.
Concerns are heightened due to the narrow nature of the roadway, contributing to its accident-prone reputation.
This tragic event also serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with increased travel during the holiday season.
With families and individuals moving between major cities, the potential for accidents rises.
Overcrowded vehicles, reckless driving practices, and overworked drivers, often pressured by travel agencies seeking higher profits, contribute to the heightened danger on the roads.
