The death toll from the tragic auto crash in Kaduna State during Eid-El-Maulud celebrations has climbed to 40, with most of the victims being children.
According to The PUNCH, the fatal accident occurred on Sunday along Saminaka Road in Lere Local Government Area when a J5 bus carrying children lost control due to overspeeding and overloading, crashing into an articulated vehicle.
Initial reports from the Federal Road Safety Corps confirmed 25 deaths and 48 injuries, but the number of fatalities has since risen as more victims succumbed to their injuries in hospital care, bringing the total to 40.
Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, expressed profound grief over the loss of young lives and extended his condolences to the families affected by the tragedy.
In a statement, the governor said, “This is a tragic loss of young lives, and we will do everything possible to support the affected families.”
Governor Sani has directed the state’s Commissioner for Health to ensure that all surviving victims receive immediate and thorough medical care.
He also indicated plans to personally reach out to the families of the deceased to offer additional support.
According to The Punch, the accident occurred at around 1:00 pm on Sunday when the overcrowded J5 bus, transporting 63 children to celebrate Eid-el-Maulud, collided with an oncoming articulated vehicle.
The Kaduna Sector Commander of the FRSC, Corps Commander Kabiru Nadabo, confirmed that 15 children died instantly at the scene.
Nadabo attributed the cause of the crash to overspeeding, explaining, “The driver of the J5 bus lost control, leading to the tragic collision.”
He added that 10 more victims died later due to severe injuries, with the death toll eventually rising to 40 as more children passed away in hospital.
In light of the incident, Nadabo emphasized the urgent need for drivers to exercise caution and adhere to road safety measures, stating, “This accident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of reckless driving. We urge drivers to be cautious and follow speed limits to prevent such tragedies.”
Due to the critical nature of the injuries, some of the victims were transferred to hospitals with more advanced medical facilities, including Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital in Shika, the University of Jos Teaching Hospital, and Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital.
The FRSC has launched a full investigation into the crash. Nadabo reiterated the importance of road safety education and the need to prevent similar accidents in the future. “Our thoughts are with the families of the victims during this difficult time,” he added.
