DAKAR, Senegal – Forty people were killed and dozens were injured when two buses collided in central Senegal on Sunday, the country’s president said.
In a tweet, President Macky Sall said that the accident occurred in Gnivy village at about 3:30 a.m. local time, The Associated Press reported.
“I am deeply saddened by the tragic road accident today in Gniby causing 40 deaths and many serious injuries. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and wish a speedy recovery to the injured,” the president said.
Sall declared three days of mourning beginning Monday and has vowed to take measures to improve road safety in the country, according to the BBC. Sall said that an inter-ministerial council will be called on Monday to discuss “firm measures” to ensure transport safety, CNN reported.
A preliminary investigation stated that one of the buses suffered a burst tire, causing it to collide head-on with an oncoming bus, the news outlet reported. Public prosecutor Cheikh Dieng told the AP that the crash happened on National Road No. 1, when a public bus punctured a tire and veered across the road.
Emergency services official Cheikh Fall told AFP news agency that 87 people were injured in the collision, according to the BBC. Dieng told the AP that 78 people were hurt, some seriously.
Motor accidents are a common occurrence in the West African nation due to poor roads and drivers breaking rules, the AP reported.
In 2017, at least 25 people were killed when two buses also crashed, according to the news organization.
