No fewer than 19 persons have been confirmed dead while eight others were injured in an auto crash at Yangoji-Gwagwalada Road in Abuja.

The Acting Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Dauda Biu, who confirmed the confirmed the incident, said the crash which occurred on Sunday involved three vehicles – two Toyota Hiace buses with registration numbers MUB- 30 LG and DWR-985 XJ and an articulated vehicle.

Biu said 31 persons were involved in the accident comprising 11 males, one female, and 19 others who were charred beyond recognition.

“Out of the 31 victims, eight persons comprising of seven males and one female sustained various degrees of injuries, while 19 others were burnt beyond recognition.

“Investigation showed that the main causes of the crash were speed limit violation and wrongful overtaking which eventually resulted in loss of control,” he said.

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The FRSC boss disclosed that the Toyota Hiace bus crashed into the Citroen articulated vehicle and burst into flames, killing everyone on board.

Biu added: “The second bus hit the first bus from behind and also caught fire. Fire melted the second bus with Bauchi State number plate.

“It was coming from Takai, Kano State while heading to Benin. The Citroen vehicle loaded chicken feeds from Zaria in Kaduna State and was heading to Akwa Ibom.

“The nineteen corpses were trapped but extricated by rescue operatives.”

He said the police have taken over the investigation and met with relevant authorities for the mass burial of 18 of the mutilated corpses.

Biu cautioned road users to always avoid excessive speeding, wrongful overtaking, and other bad driving behaviours.

He also admonished commuters to always plan their trips to fall within day time and avoid night trips because of hazards associated with dark hours.

The Star