KIRYANDONGO. At least 63 people have been confirmed dead and scores of others injured in a four-car crash on the Kampala-Gulu highway.
The Wednesday morning crash at Asili farm in Kitaleba Village in Kiryandongo District involved two buses of different transport companies, a lorry truck and a Toyota Land Cruiser, according to the police’s preliminary report.
The death toll is likely to increase as some passengers sustained serious injuries.
“It’s alleged that motor vehicle Registration number UBF 631X, an Isuzu bus belonging to Nile star company, driven by a yet to be identified driver, was from Kampala heading to Arua and upon reaching Kitaleba village, the driver tried to overtake motor vehicle registration number UBK647C Tata lorry driven yet to be identified person.
On the other side, motor vehicle registration number UAM 045V, Isuzu bus belonging to Planet Company driven by yet to be identified person was from Adjumani District heading to Kampala and also trying to overtake Toyota land cruiser, registration number CGO2532A driven by yet to be identified person but failed to overtake after seeing the Nile star bus had almost reached,” reads part of the Wednesday morning statement issued by Kiryandongo Police Station following the midnight crash.
According to police, the driver of the bus belonging to Planet Company collided with the Nile Star bus as he attempted to swerve from the wrong lane.
“However, the Toyota Land Cruiser and Tata lorry drivers lost control and overturned several times and fell into the valley, also injuring and killing their occupants,” the police statement adds.
Police detectives visited the scene and evacuated victims to Kiryandongo General Hospital.
“Dead bodies were taken to Kiryandongo General Hospital mortuary pending postmodern. The wreckage of the motor vehicles is still at the scene of the crime pending being towed to Kiryandongo police station,” said Albertine region police spokesperson, Julius Hakiza.