A horrific bus crash claimed the lives of 16 people and injured 48 others, six critically, in central Mali on Thursday, the country’s transport ministry reported on Friday.
The deadly collision occurred around 8:30 AM local time near the town of Ouan in the San region.
According to the ministry, the two buses involved in the accident were engaged in a head-on impact.
Preliminary investigations point to excessive speed and reckless driving as the likely causes of the tragedy.
Emergency responders transported all victims to a nearby healthcare facility for treatment.
The Malian government has initiated a full investigation to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the fatal crash.
In neighboring Senegal, another road accident on Thursday resulted in six deaths and 14 injuries along the border with Mauritania.
The incident underscores the ongoing challenges posed by road safety in the region.
Road accidents are a pervasive issue in both Mali and Senegal, often attributed to poor road conditions, vehicle maintenance, and human error.
