Dozens of people are feared dead in a road accident involving six vehicles along the Busia-Tororo road on Kibimba Bridge in Muwayo Village, Buluguyi Sub-county, Bugiri District. Reports indicate that two trailers, three commuter taxis, and a Toyota Harrier were involved in a head-on collision on Kibimba Bridge, resulting in a fire engulfing the area.
Ambulances from Bugiri District, along with those from neighboring Tororo, Busia, and Iganga, were observed ferrying casualties primarily to Bugiri and Iganga General Hospitals. The incident paralyzed traffic throughout the night, prompting authorities to divert transnational trailers and other vehicles using the Eastern corridor to the Musita-Lumino road, facilitating connectivity to the Jinja-Kampala highway.
Amos Mutalwa, a resident, reported that the intense fire hindered well-wishers from rescuing some casualties trapped in the commuter taxis. Some of the deceased were burnt beyond recognition and were subsequently transported to the Bugiri General Hospital mortuary.
Mariam Namusekwa, another resident, lamented that many bystanders focused their energies on looting valuables from the casualties rather than aiding rescue efforts, which resulted in delays and increased fatalities. Namusekwa further criticized the immoral behavior, coupled with the delayed police response, which led to coordination issues in transporting casualties, resulting in some dying due to the lack of available ambulances.
Busoga East Police spokesperson Diana Nandawula stated that police teams have been coordinating with various stakeholders, including area residents, ambulance operators, and hospitals, to gather data on casualties and fatalities. Nandawula added that the wreckage has been cleared from the accident scene and towed to the Bugiri Central Police Station parking yard, with traffic slowly resuming along the Bugiri-Busia road in the Kibimba and surrounding areas.
URN.
Post Views:
1,004
