Ghana Bus Collision: At Least 60 People Burned To Death

By Staff, Agencies

At least 60 people lost their lives as two commercial buses collided and burst into flames in northern Ghana, police reported Friday.

Ghana Police Service spokesman David Eklu said the accident occurred at about 1:30 am Friday morning when the two long-distance buses collided head-on on the main highway leading from Kintampo to Tamale, Ghana's fourth largest city.

"The buses went up in flames when they collided," Eklu said.

"It's too early to ascertain how many died but 50 people have been confirmed dead," according to initial count.

Both buses had about 100 people on board and some of the victims burned to death.

Eklu added that more than 50 people were injured in the crash and the death toll could rise as police are still assessing the situation at the crash site.

The injured passengers, meanwhile, have been sent to the Techiman Holy Family Hospital and Kintampo Government Hospital for treatment, he said.

In 2016, at least 61 people died when a passenger bus collided with a cargo truck carrying tomatoes near Kintampo.

The crash happened nearly halfway along the planned 390-kilometer trip from Kumasi to Tamale.