28 Die In A Grisly Road Accident Along Nimule-Juba Road, Sudan

28 passengers died instantly while 82 seriously injured among them a former minister when two buses; Bakulu coach en route from Juba to Kampala and Baby coach collided near Pageri Revenue Authority at Pageri sub County in Magwi County of Eastern Equatoria State.

The Traffic Crime police officer in Torit, Second Lieutenant Juma George Ngandoyo confirmed to the press on Friday that10 South Sudanese and 18 Ugandans respectively died on the spot while 3 Kenyans, 59 Ugandans and 20 South Sudanese were seriously injured in what he described as the worst road accident in the recent history of Eastern Equatoria.

A medical Doctor in Nimule, Dr. David Nyuma explained that 24 people died instantly upon collision, one died on the way to the Hospital and 3 succumbed to their death later while on treatment due to critical conditions. Out of the 82 injured passengers, 34 were immediately referred to Uganda for further treatment.

Magwi County’s assistant Commissioner for health, Ersilia Lakulu Onek who alongside her host County Commissioner, Mr. Peter Ochilo Bongomin received and briefed a State delegation led by Governor Louis Lobong Lojore about 500 metres close to the accident scene. Ersilia described the situation as the worst incidence ever since the signing of the CPA.

“We found dead bodies in a pool of blood. At first it was difficult to identify both dead and injured people until we checked their identities. We found names and Country of origin. We then communicated with Nimule Hospital being run by Merlin International who quickly rushed to the scene and jointly we were able to transport the victims to the hospital,” Ersilia confirmed.

Ersilia also clarified that Ugandan authorities were contacted over the incidence. She also explained that other foreign nationals from Eretria visited the hospital and identified the bodies.

The State Governor Hon Lobong expressed his sympathy while at the scene, “This is a misfortune, and Southerners who perished here have missed to witness the Independence Day they had worked so hard for.”

Governor Lobong visited Nimule hospital alongsife Mr. Jerome Surur Gama, Agriculture Minister, Nasike Allan Lochul, Information Minister, Peter Karlo Otim, Road Minister, Sam Makuja, Health Minister, William Loki, Director for security in the State, Ben Bilal Mamur, Deputy police commissioner in EES and two MPs; Hon. Florence Nighty Otto and Aventore Bilal to console the accident victims.

The EES delegation was later joined by Ugandan Government representatives led by Ugandan police force’s Commissioner in charge of operations, Joseph Mugisa.

The Director General for traffic police in the State, Mr. Romeo Liwa quoted official information relayed to them in Torit at 1.30 PM on Friday by Nimule Traffic Director, Mr Acek Gai, that among the injured was the former Government of South Sudan Minister of Social Development, Mary Kiden who lost both of her legs in the impact alongside one of the State’s Wildlife Brigadiers who also broke his legs among other fatal injuries.

Mr. Liwa added that among the passengers who lost their lives on the spot included the two drivers of the colliding buses.

According to latest reports via telephone by Mr. Alphonse Irenge, the Inspector of Local Government for the Nimule, Pageri and Nimule sub Counties; Hon. Mary Kiden had been transported to Gulu Hospital in Uganda for further medical attention while the rest were undergoing medical treatment at Nimule hospital.

The road and Transport Minister blamed the fallen drivers for reckless driving that resulted into the deadly accident.

Both buses belong to Ugandan based transport companies.