How Many Lives Were Lost After a Bus Overturned and Caught Fire in Uganda?

Synopsis
A devastating bus accident in Buikwe, Uganda, has left many feared dead after the vehicle overturned and caught fire. Eyewitnesses reported the chaos as emergency services raced to the scene. This incident highlights the ongoing issues of road safety and the need for better regulations to prevent such tragedies.
Key Takeaways
- Numerous fatalities feared after the bus accident.
- Bus lost control and caught fire following a collision.
- Emergency services responded promptly to the scene.
- Over 70 passengers were on board at the time of the crash.
- Separate road accidents highlight ongoing road safety issues.
Kampala, May 6 (NationPress) A tragic incident has occurred in Uganda, where numerous individuals are feared dead following a passenger bus that lost control and ignited into flames in the central district of Buikwe.
Michael Kananura, the spokesperson for the Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety, confirmed in a statement that many lives were lost after a bus collided with a commercial motorcycle, commonly known as boda boda, which led to the bus losing control and catching fire at the Makindu trading center on Monday evening.
As reported by the police, the bus was en route from Kampala, the capital city, to Soroti in the eastern district when the fatal accident transpired around 5 p.m. local time, according to the Xinhua news agency.
"The bus flipped over and was engulfed in flames, resulting in numerous fatalities," Kananura stated. "We will provide updates as more information becomes available."
Passengers sustaining serious injuries have been transported to Kawolo Hospital, St. Francis Lwanga Hospital in Buikwe District, and other nearby medical facilities for treatment.
"Police and emergency services are present on the scene, working diligently to extinguish the flames and recover the bodies of the victims," Kananura added.
Eyewitnesses shared images and videos from the site, with local media reporting that over 40 individuals may have lost their lives as the inferno consumed the bus.
At the time of the accident, the bus was carrying more than 70 passengers.
Earlier on Thursday, a separate road accident in the eastern district of Kibuku resulted in the deaths of at least five individuals, with five others sustaining severe injuries, as reported by local police.
This incident occurred when a commuter taxi collided with a stationary truck at Tirinyi, along the Iganga-Mbale road, around 5 p.m. local time, according to Wilfred Kyempasa, the Bukedi North regional police spokesperson.
"Initial investigations suggest that the truck was parked on a pedestrian walkway and was being loaded with papyrus. The taxi, traveling from the Iganga side, crashed into the rear of the truck," Kyempasa explained. "Five individuals, including two adult men, one adult woman, and two juvenile females, tragically died on the spot."
Kyempasa noted that police are conducting investigations to determine the cause of the incident, which is believed to have been caused by speeding.
The injured parties are currently receiving medical attention at various healthcare facilities.