In the early hours of Friday, September 20, 2024, a catastrophic accident occurred at Obretima in the Suhum Municipality of the Eastern Region, involving a VIP bus and a fuel tanker. Several passengers are feared dead in the tragic collision.
Preliminary reports from the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) suggest that the accident was triggered by a burst tyre on the fuel tanker, which was travelling from Accra to Kumasi. The sudden tyre failure caused the tanker to veer off its lane and collide head-on with the VIP bus, which was travelling from Tamale to Accra. The impact was most severe on the central section of the bus, where many passengers were trapped inside the wreckage.
Rescue efforts were hindered by the complexity of the situation, with emergency responders from the GNFS, police, and ambulance services working for several hours to free those trapped in the bus. Several passengers who sustained life-threatening injuries were rushed to the Suhum Government Hospital for urgent medical care.
Authorities have yet to release the official casualty figures, as investigations and medical assessments are still underway. The community of Suhum has been left in shock, with families and friends anxiously awaiting news of their loved ones.
The Suhum Government Hospital and police authorities are expected to provide updates in the coming hours, as the nation grapples with yet another devastating road accident.
This tragic incident underscores the persistent road safety challenges in Ghana, as citizens call for stricter enforcement of safety regulations and better monitoring of long-distance commercial vehicles.
