Truck crash in Nigeria kills 25, injures 54: Overloaded and speeding
A massive tragedy occurred on Monday morning on a road outside the city of Kano in northern Nigeria. A truck carrying people, cows, goats, and sheep collided with another vehicle. Twenty-five people died, and fifty-four were injured.
6:37 AM EDT, July 2, 2024
The accident happened on a busy stretch of road near the Dangwaro International Market. Initial findings from the local police indicate that the truck driver was at fault. The list of charges against him is extensive.
The truck driver had significantly exceeded the speed limit, did not adjust to the road conditions, and was dangerously driving his vehicle, all while fully aware that the truck was overloaded.
The excessive weight primarily contributed to the driver losing control of the vehicle.
Ibrahim Abdullahi from the local police confirmed that twenty-five people died in the accident. Abdullahi did not specify the total number of people and animals traveling on the truck or how many of them died. Reports only generally state that "cows, goats, and sheep" were being transported along with the people.
Additionally, goods were being transported on the truck. Among them were six motorcycles and sacks of corn.
Nigeria. Dozens killed in one accident
Local police are urging drivers to be cautious and warn against Africa's dangerous yet widespread practice of transporting animals and goods together with people.
This is yet another tragic accident that has occurred in the Kano area in recent days. Last Friday, fourteen people were killed in another accident when a speeding car ran into a group of Muslims praying on the roadside.
