The number of casualties recorded when a vehicle crashed into a crowd at the ongoing Calabar Carnival in Cross River State on Tuesday has been confirmed by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).
The number of casualties recorded when a vehicle crashed into a crowd at the ongoing Calabar Carnival in Cross River State on Tuesday has been confirmed by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).
Number of Deaths From Calabar Carnival Vehicle Accident Confirmed by FRSC
According to early reports, a car's driver lost control of his wheels and slammed into the crowd, inflicting more than twenty injuries and several fatalities. According to reports, the reckless driver gathered along the Carnival route to see the bikers' parade.
Seven people perished in the incident, while 29 people suffered from various ailments, according to a later report from the FRSC state command.
Maikano Hassan, The Sector Commander of the Corps, told reporters in a statement that the event occurred during the Bikers Carnival activity of the carnival in front of the Jumat Mosque in Bogobiri, the capital city of Cross River.
The FRSC official reports that 21 male adults, three females, two male children, and three female children were injured. In addition, Hassan said that the Naval Hospital and the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital also provided medical care for the wounded (UCTH).
The two hospitals in Calabar were confirmed to have received the deceased's bodies. Hassan provided a more detailed account of the incident, stating that a Toyota Camry was involved.
He described how the car's driver lost control and slammed into a crowd of spectators at the carnival. When the incident occurred on Tuesday, Governor Ben Ayade and other dignitaries were already seated. As a result, he abruptly ordered the end of the event, which was already on its fifth day.
The Governor expressed his condolences to the families of those involved and promised to take the necessary action. According to records, the annual Calabar carnival occurred under former Governor Donald Duke.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2022, the event has not been held for the past two years. However, according to reports, efforts were still being made to set up a few facilities for the carnival's hastily organized 2022 edition.