Ebonyi: Dozens Feared Dead As Luxury Bus Plunges Into Akaeze River

A fully-loaded 608 Mercedes Benz luxury bus, Friday, around 5:45pm, plunged into the Akaeze River along Akaeze-Ishiagu highway in Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. Eyewitnesses say about 36 passengers in the bus are feared dead.

THE WHISTLER gathered that the 608 bus, belonging to an Enugu-based church, was returning to Enugu from Ebonyi State after a burial of one of its faithful when the driver lost control on the Akaeze bridge, and plunged into the river. The 608 bus was trying to overtake a trailer when the driver lost control, skidded off the bridge and fell into the river, a source said.

Mr Sinbad, the coordinator of Akaeze Development Centre, told the Vanguard that, “Rescue has begun. There are a few dead bodies. I cannot fully confirm the situation now. One person is alive. We are looking for more people. We cannot ascertain the number of people.”

Meanwhile, the public relations officer of the Ebonyi State Police Command, DSP Loveth Odah, while confirming the incident, said five persons had so far been rescued from the river, adding that one person died while receiving treatment in the hospital. Other rescued victims were rushed to St Denis’ Hospital, Akaeze.”

The sector commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Ebonyi State Command, Mrs Stella Uchegbu, described the accident as unfortunate. According to her, the bus was travelling from Eda in Afikpo South Local Government Area of Ebonyi State to Enugu when the accident occurred.