30 feared dead as bus plunges into Ebonyi river

More than 30 people were feared dead in a road accident on Akaeze-Ishiagu highway in Akaeze Development Centre, Ivo Local Government Area, Ebonyi State yesterday.

It was gathered that the accident occurred at about 5.45 pm.

The bus conveying the passengers reportedly plunged into a river near a bridge along the road.

A source from the area said that the accident occurred when an Enugu-bound 608 bus conveying some people on their way back from a burial ceremony in Ebonyi State attempted to overtake a trailer just before a bridge in the area.

The driver of the bus was said to have lost control of the vehicle and veered off into the river with the vehicle and its occupants submerged immediately.

At the time of filing this report, only five persons in critical conditions had been reportedly rescued and rushed to the hospital for treatment.

A source said: “An accident has just occurred at Akaeze Development Centre.

“The driver of a 608 bus carrying 36 persons and returning from a burial in Ebonyi on the way to Enugu, lost control while trying to overtake a trailer, and the bus plunged into the river.

“Up till now, more than 20 minutes after the incident occurred, none of them has been found.”

Police spokesman in the state, Loveth Odah, confirmed the incident, describing it as “very unfortunate.”

She, however, said about five people had been rescued from the river, adding that efforts were on to rescue others.

“It is a very unfortunate incident. The DPO of the area just told me that about five persons have been rescued and rushed to the hospital while efforts were on to see if some other persons could be rescued too.

“Our men are already on ground to see what can be done to help the situation,” Odah said.