Tragic Minibus Crash in Ivory Coast Claims 26 Lives

A devastating minibus accident in Ivory Coast has left 26 people dead, prompting calls for improved road safety measures across the nation.

A tragic accident involving two minibuses in Ivory Coast resulted in at least 26 fatalities and injured another 28 people on Friday. The crash occurred in Brokoua, a village located in the west-central region of the country, as reported by the Ministry of Transport.

Authorities confirmed that ten victims lost their lives in a fire following the crash. Local media released harrowing footage depicting both vehicles engulfed in flames.

The Ministry of Transport has initiated an investigation to determine the cause of the crash. This incident is the most recent in a string of fatal accidents that have troubled Ivory Coast’s roads over the past few years.

In a statement, the ministry urged all road users to exercise increased vigilance, according to the Minister of Transport.

According to officials, frequent accidents in Ivory Coast are attributed to poor road conditions and reckless driving, resulting in more than 1,000 fatalities each year.

This crash comes after another tragic accident last month that resulted in 21 fatalities and left at least 10 people injured. Earlier this year, a tanker truck collided with a bus in northern Ivory Coast, leading to the deaths of 13 individuals and injuring 44 others.

To address the increasing number of road fatalities, authorities implemented a point-based driver’s license system in 2023. Drivers begin with 12 points, and these are deducted for traffic violations. Additionally, speed cameras have been installed on major roads to monitor drivers and issue fines to offenders.