Rescuers inspect the site of a plane crash in Pokhara, Nepal
AFP

At least 17 people died and 229 people were injured after a truck overloaded with food and people crashed in Niger.

Bisi Kazeem, public education officer at the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), said the accident happened Tuesday in Takalafia village on the Yawuri Expressway. He said the vehicle was overloaded with food and people, including women and children.

The injured people were taken to Kontagora General Hospital for immediate medical attention. The dead bodies were also sent to the same hospital, Reuters reported. Other details were not available.

Kazeem noted that the crash took place after the driver lost control of the DAF articulated vehicle.

President Bola Tinubu mourned the victims of the truck crash Wednesday while describing the incident as "a harrowing tragedy."

The president "commiserates with the people and government of Niger State over a ghastly auto-crash, which led to the loss of many lives. President Tinubu condoles with the families of those who lost their lives in the accident and prays for the repose of the souls of the deceased," presidential spokesman Ajuri Ngelale wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Tinubu directed the emergency response agency to "immediately move in and ensure that those injured in the tragic accident get the necessary treatment at the highest quality and with alacrity."

"President Tinubu implores citizens to be vigilant and safety conscious as they travel during this festive season, and always," Ngelale added.

Accidents are common in Nigeria due to several reasons, including inadequate traffic laws, poor road conditions, poorly maintained vehicles and rash driving.

Last month, a tanker loaded with 33,000 liters of diesel crashed in the Sari Iganmu area, causing a large fuel spill on the road, which completely stalled traffic in the area.

Even boat accidents are also very common in the country. A boat with 100 passengers capsized in River Benue in October. Authorities said no one in the boat, including the operator, wore a life jacket.

Earlier this year, the FRSC requested the government to implement Sharia Law to prosecute traffic offenders. It blamed the federal government for not being tough enough and said introducing the Islamic religious law in traffic rules would help to bring discipline.

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