Tragedy strikes as fiery crash in Ivory Coast kills 26 and injures 28
- At least 26 people died and 28 were injured in a crash involving two minibuses in Ivory Coast.
- The collision occurred in Brokoua village, where a fire broke out following the crash.
- Authorities are investigating the incident amidst ongoing concerns over road safety in the region.
On December 6, 2024, a tragic incident occurred in Brokoua, a village located in the central-western region of Ivory Coast. This unfortunate event involved a fiery collision between two minibuses, which resulted in the death of at least 26 individuals. The collision also left 28 others injured. According to the transportation ministry, ten of the deceased succumbed to injuries sustained in the fire that erupted following the crash. Eyewitness accounts and local media footage displayed the two vehicles engulfed in flames, painting a horrific picture of the aftermath. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident to determine the exact cause of the crash and any possible factors that contributed to this devastating accident. Road accidents are a frequent occurrence in Ivory Coast, often attributed to poor road conditions and reckless driving behavior. As evidenced by previous statistics, such incidents result in over 1,000 fatalities annually in the nation, highlighting a significant public safety issue that needs to be addressed. The recent crash follows a broader trend of dangerous road incidents in the region. Just a month prior, another road accident claimed 21 lives and left at least 10 people injured. Earlier this year, a relatively severe incident involved a tanker truck crashing into a bus, resulting in 13 deaths and injuring 44 individuals. These incidents underscore the urgent need for improved road safety measures and stricter enforcement of traffic regulations. In response to these frequent accidents, last year the government introduced a point-based driver’s license system aimed at discouraging traffic violations. Each driver starts with a total of 12 points, with points deducted for infractions. Additionally, monitoring cameras have been installed on major roads to capture and penalize offenders of traffic rules. As road safety remains a pressing concern for authorities, transport officials are reiterating calls for drivers to exercise greater vigilance and adhere to prescribed traffic laws to help reduce the occurrence of such tragic events.