Bangui: An overloaded truck with goods and passengers met with an accident killing at least 78 people and injuring dozens on Tuesday in the Central African Republic, a doctor said.
The mishap took place 10 km outside the town of Bambari, around 300 km northeast of the capital Bangui, as the truck was travelling to a weekly market day in the village of Maloum, reports DC.
“At the moment, we have counted 78 dead and 72 wounded. Some wounded were taken directly to their homes from the accident scene and died there sometime after, but most died here,” said Chamberlain Bama, chief doctor at the university hospital in Bambari.
A member of parliament from Bambari said the truck was overloaded and was overspeeding.
“They were driving fast to make it to the market on time. That’s what probably caused the accident,” Amaseka Topi told Reuters.
The country’s roads have turned into ruins due to the neglect of safety regulations.
The Central African Republic is racked by violence unleashed after President Francois Bozize in 2013 was expelled, provoking a backlash from Christian militias.