An eight-year-old girl has died while several others sustained injuries in a road crash involving a commercial bus along the Onitsha–Enugu Expressway in Anambra State.
The accident occurred on Sunday near the Anabel Event Centre in Awka when the bus, which was travelling from Nnewi to Enugu, crashed and overturned.
The Anambra State Fire Service confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Media and Publicity Unit of the service, headed by Chukwudi Chiketa.
Chiketa said the commercial bus, popularly known as “tracas”, was carrying 14 passengers when the accident occurred.
He said the fire service received an emergency call at about 3:30pm and immediately deployed personnel to the scene.
“Fire Service personnel promptly mobilised to the scene, where they assessed the situation, secured the area and assisted in the rescue and evacuation of victims,” the statement said.
According to the service, several passengers sustained varying degrees of injuries and were evacuated to the hospital for medical attention, while the eight-year-old girl died in the crash.
The fire service said there was no fire outbreak at the scene, although parts of the vehicle were damaged.
It added that personnel took safety measures to prevent a secondary disaster and remained at the scene until the area was considered safe.
The responding team left the scene at about 5:45pm.
The Anambra State Fire Service urged motorists and other road users to exercise caution, avoid excessive speeding and remain vigilant, particularly when transporting passengers.
“Fire kills, but we can prevent it,” the service added.