News: 18 die in Benin auto crashes

No fewer than 18 persons yesterday lost their lives in multiple accidents that occurred in the early hours of the day along the Benin-Lagos by-pass.

The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) however, said six persons died in the crash, which involved a truck, a tipper lorry and an 18-seater bus.


The truck was said to have veered off the road and had a head-on collision with the tipper while the passenger bus rammed into the tipper from the rear. It was gathered that no fewer than 15 passengers died and three others sustained injuries in the bus while the three persons in the tipper were killed. Men of Operation Thunderstorm, who were involved in the rescue operation, had a hectic time trying to save the victims of the crash.

Confirming the accident, the Public Relations Officer of FRSC in Edo State, John Aniedi, said six persons were confirmed dead at the point of rescue, adding that he was yet to be fully briefed by his men. He said the injured were taken to FRSC clinic at Oregbeni quarters, Ikpoba Hill in Benin.