The tragic auto crash at Ajue community on the Ore-Ondo highway in Ondo State resulted in the deaths of sixteen people. Key details of the incident include:
Fatalities and Injuries: Sixteen persons were burned to death, three others sustained serious injuries, and two escaped unhurt.
Accident Details: The crash involved a Toyota Bus and a truck, both of which caught fire after a head-on collision. The incident occurred at around 8 p.m.
Cause of Collision: Eyewitnesses reported that dangerous overtaking by one of the drivers led to the collision. There are allegations that one of the vehicles may have been carrying fuel, which could have intensified the fire.
Rescue Operation: The Ondo Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Ibitoye Samuel, confirmed that the rescue operation concluded around 11 p.m. The investigation into the exact cause of the accident is still ongoing.
Safety Concerns: Over speeding and wrongful overtaking were identified as major factors contributing to the accident, with over speeding being a frequent cause of road accidents in Nigeria.
Current Status: The deceased have been transported to the state Specialists Hospital mortuary in Ondo town.
This accident underscores the critical need for improved road safety measures and stricter enforcement of traffic regulations to prevent similar tragedies.
