ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast (AP) — A crash involving a freight truck and a passenger bus in Ivory Coast on Tuesday killed at least 17 people and left several injured, authorities said.
The vehicles collided in Ponan-Ouinlo, a village in the west of the country, according to the Ministry of Transport. The cause of the accident is currently under investigation.
The bus was carrying 70 people. Another 23 were injured, the National Office for Civil Protection said in a Facebook post.
Photos from the scene posted by the emergency services showed the damaged bus with its roof completely caved in.
Crashes are common in the West African country due to dilapidated roads and reckless driving, resulting in the deaths of over 1,000 people annually, according to the Transportation Ministry.
Last month, 26 people were killed and at least 28 others injured when two minibuses collided and burst into flames.
Last year, authorities introduced a point-based driver’s license system, granting each driver a total of 12 points that can be gradually deducted based on traffic violations. Cameras were also installed on the country’s main roads to fine offenders.
