A tragic accident occurred this afternoon in Kumba involving a Golden Express Bus and a Tiper truck. The collision took place at Kang Barombi, just before the “Welcome to Kumba” sign, as the bus was en route from Kumba to Douala.
An eyewitness on the scene reported to MMI, “An accident has just occurred in Kumba. It was between a Golden Express Bus and a Tiper truck. The bus left Kumba to Douala, unfortunately, they had an accident at Barombi Kang, immediately before you reach the ‘Welcome to Kumba’.”
The severity of the accident is underscored by reports of fatalities. “An accident inside Kumba… this afternoon 4 people died already,” another eyewitness stated. However, the exact number of casualties remains unconfirmed as images and videos received by MMI show injured women and children, making it difficult to ascertain the full extent of the tragedy.
In the absence of emergency services, other passengers and passersby were seen attempting to rescue those still trapped in the wreck. This highlights one of the significant challenges in Cameroon, where the lack of prompt emergency response exacerbates the aftermath of such incidents.
Road accidents are a major concern in Cameroon, with the country experiencing a high rate of traffic-related fatalities and injuries. According to the World Health Organization, Cameroon has one of the highest road traffic death rates in the world, with approximately 27.6 deaths per 100,000 people. The Global Road Safety Facility reports that road traffic injuries are a leading cause of death and disability in the country.Factors contributing to this include poor road conditions, lack of enforcement of traffic laws, and inadequate emergency response services3.
The community is urged to stay clear of the area to allow rescue operations to proceed smoothly.
This incident highlights the ongoing challenges of road safety in the region and the urgent need for improved measures to prevent such tragedies in the future. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families during this difficult time.
