DAKAR: At least 16 people were killed and 22 others sustained injuries when a bus and a lorry collided in central Senegal early Monday morning, the fire brigade said. The road accident occurred around 6 am local time (0600 GMT) near the village of Ndangalma.
The accident involved a bus and a lorry, though the precise circumstances leading to the crash remain unclear. Emergency responders arrived at the scene to find a chaotic situation with multiple casualties, and efforts were underway to provide medical care and transport the injured to local hospitals.
Senegal has experienced a series of serious road accidents in recent years, often attributed to a combination of factors including poorly maintained roads, inadequate vehicle standards, reckless driving, and corruption among officials tasked with enforcing traffic laws and issuing driving licenses.
The government of President Bassirou Diomaye Faye had pledged in August to take stronger measures to address the crisis. Transport Minister El Malick Ndiaye outlined a plan to increase roadside checks and enhance penalties for traffic violations.
The minister also emphasized the need for transport operators to adhere to vehicle safety standards, ensure proper training for employees, and enforce regulations related to working hours and driver fatigue.
