13 Burnt to Death in Ghastly Ondo Auto Crash

At least 13 people were burnt to death on Saturday morning following a devastating road accident at Abule Panu, near Ose Bridge, along the Owo-Ikare highway in Ondo State.

The tragic incident occurred around 10:14 a.m. and involved a head-on collision between two buses, resulting in an inferno that consumed the vehicles and their passengers.

An eyewitness at the scene revealed that one of the buses, coming from the Ikare axis, suffered a tyre burst, causing the driver to lose control. The bus collided with another vehicle coming from the opposite direction, which was reportedly loaded with fabrics.

"The impact was severe, and within moments, both buses were engulfed in flames. It was a horrifying sight," the eyewitness recounted.

Out of the 14 individuals involved in the crash, 13 were burnt beyond recognition. The only survivor was rescued with severe injuries and rushed to the Federal Medical Centre in Owo for urgent medical attention.

Ondo Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Ibitoye Samuel, confirmed the accident. "Our teams, along with the police and fire service, responded promptly to the scene," he said. "The injured victim is receiving treatment at the Federal Medical Centre, while the charred remains of the deceased have been deposited at the hospital morgue."

Commander Samuel urged drivers to maintain their vehicles and adhere to road safety regulations, emphasizing that passengers must also play a role in ensuring safer journeys.

"Drivers must exercise patience and ensure their vehicles are in good condition," he said. "Passengers should not hesitate to speak out against dangerous driving practices because road safety is everyone's responsibility."

The FRSC has reiterated its commitment to reducing road accidents through enhanced safety awareness and prompt emergency responses.