Bus conveying wedding guests plunges into river in Zamfara
A catastrophic accident claimed the lives of at least 17 passengers, mostly women, when a commercial bus plunged into a river after colliding with a collapsed bridge in Zamfara State’s Gwalli area.
The Zamfara Command of the Federal Roads Safety Corps (FRSC) reported that the 18-seater bus, traveling at high speed, struck the damaged bridge on Saturday, according to a statement issued on Monday by Public Education Officer Isah Aliyu in Gusau.
The victims were part of a wedding party traveling from Fass village in Gummi Local Government Area to Kebbi State to deliver a bride to her husband following their wedding Fatiha.
Aliyu noted that the bridge, which had collapsed earlier in the week, was temporarily patched with sandbags and stones by villagers. Unfamiliar with the terrain, the driver attempted to navigate the makeshift crossing, leading to the deadly crash.
Sector Commander Aliyu Ma’aji expressed profound grief, stating, “We are deeply saddened by this tragic loss of lives.”
He extended condolences to the victims’ families, the Zamfara government, and its people, adding, “Our hearts go out to those affected by this devastating incident.”
Ma’aji urged motorists to avoid late-night travel, overloading vehicles, and to verify road conditions before long journeys. He also commended stakeholders who aided in rescuing survivors.
Eyewitnesses described the driver’s struggle to navigate the hazardous bridge, underscoring the dangers of makeshift repairs on damaged infrastructure. The FRSC emphasized the need for increased road safety awareness to prevent such tragedies.
