A tragic bus crash in Nigeria’s Kaduna state has claimed the lives of at least 25 children.
The accident occurred during a religious trip to celebrate the birth of Prophet Mohammed.
The bus, carrying young followers of the Tijjaniyya Sufi order, lost control and collided with a truck on Sunday.
Local officials from Nigeria’s road safety agency (FRSC) reported that the bus was overloaded with 63 children.
The driver was allegedly speeding when he lost control.
Fifteen children died immediately at the crash site. The death toll later rose to 25 after 10 more victims succumbed to injuries in various hospitals.
Organizers of the trip, however, stated that the total number of deaths was 40, with 31 others injured, some critically.
The children were from Kwandare village, traveling to Saminaka for the Maulud festival, which honors the birth of Prophet Mohammed.
Road accidents are frequent in Nigeria, with speeding and poorly maintained roads often blamed for fatal incidents. Authorities continue to monitor the situation.
