Senegal‘s fire brigade on Wednesday reported that a devastating bus accident in northern the northern part of the country has resulted in twenty-two fatalities and 52 injuries.
A national fire brigade official stated that the accident happened in Ngeune Sarre village, located in the Louga region, and a rescue worker at the site warned that the final death toll could potentially escalate.
However, the authorities’ statement lacked information regarding the cause or time of the accident. The dearth of details from the authorities regarding the cause and time of the accident has left many questioning the circumstances that led to this tragedy.
The same area near Louga witnessed a collision in January, where 19 people lost their lives, and 24 others were injured.
Last week, a tragic bus crash claimed the lives of around 40 people in the center of Senegal.
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Following the unfortunate events of January 8, authorities faced a barrage of criticism for their apparent negligence in addressing the high frequency of road accidents in Senegal.
In light of the incident, the government introduced a range of measures, including the restriction of overnight bus journeys. However, transport experts pointed out that numerous measures were unrealistic in nature.
While restricting overnight travel might reduce fatigue-related accidents, it does not address the broader issues that contribute to road accidents, such as poorly maintained vehicles, inadequate infrastructure, and reckless driving behaviors.
They suggested that the government should focus on implementing practical and sustainable measures, such as enhancing driver training, improving road maintenance, and enforcing strict traffic regulations.
Additionally, public awareness campaigns about safe driving practices was also highlighted as a key strategy in reducing accidents.