A minibus crash on the Kigali-Gitarama highway left 16 passengers dead on Saturday evening.
The public transport minibus was crushed by a cargo truck as it tried to overtake it on an exit route out of the city at a area popularly known as Kugiti Cyinyoni.
The police and rescue teams made up of senior government officials, the Commissioner General of Police, Emmanuel Gasana and Kigali City mayor , Fidele Ndayisaba, locals and journalists including those from IGIHE.com, were quick to report to the scene
“The accident happened at about 18:30 outside Kigali, on the road towards Gitarama,” police spokesperson Theos Badege told the media.
“The minibus carrying 19 passengers tried to overtake the truck but found itself facing an oncoming vehicle. On returning to the middle of the road it hit the truck.
“The minibus was dragged to the side of the road by the truck and flattened,” he said.
“Of the 19 passengers, 16 were killed. The three others were taken to hospital. The two people travelling in the truck were not hurt.”
Due the severity of the accident, the first victim was pulled out after a protracted four hour effort. The injured three were immediately rushed to hospital for intensive care. Those present in the truck were unhurt.
The rescue mission lasted approximately six hours at 12.45 am.
Leave a Reply