Scores feared dead as bus plunges into Ebonyi river

Many persons were feared dead yesterday in a road accident along Akaeze-Ishiagu highway, near Akaeze Development Centre in Ivo Council of Ebonyi State.

It was gathered that the accident happened about 5:45pm when a bus conveying the passengers reportedly plunged into a river near a bridge along the road.

A source in the area said the accident occurred as the Enugu-bound 608 bus conveying passengers from a burial ceremony in Ebonyi State attempted to overtake a trailer just before a bridge in the area.

The driver of the bus was said to have lost control of the vehicle and veered off into the river and got submerged immediately.

At press time, only five persons in critical conditions had been reportedly rescued and rushed to the hospital for treatment.

But state Police Command spokesperson, Loveth Odah, while confirming the incident, described it as “very unfortunate incident,” adding that only person was reported to have died, while four others rescued were receiving treatment at a hospital.

She, however, disclosed that about five persons had so far been rescued from the river and efforts were on to rescue others.

“It is a very unfortunate incident. The DPO of the area just told me that about five persons have been rescued and rushed to the hospital, while efforts were on to see if some other persons can be rescued too.

“Our men are already on ground to see what can be done to help the situation,” Odah said.

A former council chairman also confirmed the incident.