NEED TO KNOW
- Two buses in Uganda collided in a multi-vehicle crash on a highway on Wednesday, Oct. 22
- Local police confirmed that 63 people died in the tragedy, while several others were injured
- Authorities said initial investigations indicate both buses had been attempting to overtake other vehicles when the crash occurred
More than 60 people have died and others have been injured after two buses crashed on a highway in Uganda.
On Wednesday, Oct. 22, the Uganda Police Force confirmed 63 people had died and “several” others had suffered injuries after the buses collided at 12:15 a.m. on the Kampala-Gulu Highway at Kitaleba Village in the Central Region of the African country.
Local police confirmed that the fatal crash involved four vehicles in total, including a car and truck, per a press release.
“According to initial investigations, the driver of UBF 614X Isuzu bus, traveling from Kampala towards Gulu, attempted to overtake the Tata Lorry (UBK 647C) at the aforementioned location,” the release said, adding that the other bus traveling from the opposite direction was attempting to overtake the car when the incident occurred.
Both buses hit each other “head-on during the overtaking manoeuvres,” the release continued.
“One of the drivers swerved in an attempt to avoid collision, but this resulted in a head-on and side collision, causing a chain reaction that led to other vehicles losing control and overturning several times,” authorities said. “As a result, 63 people lost lives, all occupants from involved vehicles and several others sustained injuries.”
Officials said authorities were quick to arrive at the scene and transported injured victims to Kiryandongo Hospital and other local clinics.
Bodies of those who had died were also transported to “the same hospital mortuary for post-mortem and identification.”
The police advised people to “exercise maximum caution on the roads, especially avoiding dangerous and careless overtaking, which remains one of the leading causes of crashes in the country.”
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“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and wish a quick recovery to the injured,” they concluded.