Tragedy, as 14 Umuahia traders die in accident while returning from Enugu
Naija News • 2h ago
Tragic Loss on Nigerian Roads: 14 Umuahia Traders Meet Untimely End in Accident
The roads in Nigeria are known for their hazardous conditions, claiming numerous lives each year. A recent tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks that travelers in the country face on a daily basis. In a devastating accident that unfolded along the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway, no fewer than 14 traders from Umuahia, Abia State, lost their lives while returning from a traditional marriage ceremony in Enugu State.
The victims were a group of enterprising individuals from Isi Gate Market in Umuahia, renowned for their vibrant market stalls along Bonny Street by Owerri Road. Their excursion to Enugu was to celebrate the union of one of their fellow traders in a traditional marriage ceremony. However, their journey back home took a disastrous turn when the Toyota Coaster bus they were in collided with a Mercedes truck around 6:45 PM on Saturday. The impact of the crash was catastrophic, leading to the immediate deaths of eleven passengers. Three more succumbed to their injuries later, leaving behind families and loved ones to grapple with the unbearable loss.
The news of the tragic incident sent shockwaves through the community, with many traders in Umuahia showing solidarity with their deceased colleagues by closing their shops. When our correspondent visited the area on Sunday, the usually bustling market was eerily calm, with some traders visibly distraught over the loss of their friends and colleagues. This tragic event is a poignant reminder of the need for increased road safety measures in Nigeria, where lives are lost on a daily basis due to accidents involving commercial vehicles.