Early Sunday, a bus bound from Lome, Togo, to Niamey, Niger, veered off course and plunged into the Oueme River in central Benin, authorities confirmed. Carrying 54 passengers, the vehicle clipped a bridge guardrail before careening into the water.
"Our teams have activated an emergency plan and mobilized all available resources for rescue," said Alassane Seidou, Benin's Minister of the Interior and Public Security. As of this report, one passenger has been confirmed dead, 44 are still missing, and nine survivors remain hospitalized in stable condition.
Local rescue units, alongside community volunteers, have been scouring the riverbanks and coordinating boat operations to locate those unaccounted for. Families anxiously await updates as officials work to identify victims and piece together the exact sequence of events.
The incident shines a light on persistent challenges in regional road safety and emergency preparedness. While the investigation continues, civil society groups are urging investments in infrastructure upgrades, stricter vehicle maintenance protocols, and enhanced driver training across West Africa.
This tragedy is a stark reminder of the risks travelers face on transnational routes. As recovery efforts press on, Benin’s government has extended its condolences to grieving families and vowed transparency in the inquiry moving forward.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
