At least 15 bodies have been retrieved in the fatal accident that occurred Friday evening, in which a coaster bus fell off the Akaeze Bridge into a river in Ishiagu-Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, South-East Nigeria.
The Co-ordinator of Akaeze Development Centre, Simbad Ogbuatu, who confirmed this at the scene of the accident, disclosed that only 5 persons including the driver of the vehicle, have been rescued alive while about 20 more victims are still being searched for.
Ogbuatu says the victims had attended a burial at Afikpo in Ebonyi State and were returning to Enugu State before the accident occurred.
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An eye witness who is also taking part in the rescue operation, Isaac Akwara, says the driver of the coaster bus lost control while trying to overtake a truck.
Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi, who visited the scene of the accident Saturday expressed shock at the magnitude of the tragedy.
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed his condolences to the Government and people of Ebonyi State over the motor accident on Akaeze-Ukwu River Friday night, in which several passengers are feared dead.
The President said “We are saddened and aggrieved at this colossal loss of human lives,” adding that the thoughts and prayers of the Government and people of Nigeria are with the families of the victims of this accident.
The President in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu commended the Ebonyi State Government in spearheading the rescue and recovery efforts as well as the support it has received from the neighbouring state governments in that regard.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
