A trailer lost control and crushed three minibusses, leaving seven persons dead at the Imo State University junction in Owerri, the capital of Imo State on Saturday.
The accident occurred around 7 pm when the heavy-duty truck, reportedly driving against traffic, rammed into three minibusses carrying nine passengers each, including the drivers. Eyewitnesses reported that the buses were hit in quick succession, causing severe damage and numerous casualties.
Sources indicate that the truck hit about 20 individuals, with some of the injured rushed to the Federal University of Technology Hospital Owerri (FUTHO) for urgent medical attention. Unfortunately, seven victims were confirmed dead at the scene and their bodies have been deposited at the morgue.
An eyewitness at the scene described the chaotic aftermath as a crowd of people besieging FUTHO in search of their relatives. The accident also resulted in huge traffic gridlock on the busy Okigwe Road, as the damaged vehicles blocked a major part of the roadway.
