Bus collides with oil tanker in Côte d'Ivoire, killing at least 13 people

Thirteen people were killed in a collision between a passenger bus and a fuel truck in Côte d'Ivoire, a country where deadly accidents are common despite recent tightening of road safety regulations, police said on September 7.

The accident occurred on the A3 highway connecting Bouaké and Korhogo, two major cities in the north of the country.

Police added that the tragic collision occurred between a passenger bus and a tanker truck carrying a lot of gasoline traveling in the opposite direction, the road was narrowed because the truck was parked without a sign.

The collision caused a huge fire and the provisional death toll stood at 13 victims, with charred bodies. In addition, 45 injured people, including 19 children, were taken to hospitals in the nearby towns of Katiola and Niakara.

As in many African countries, fatal traffic accidents are common in Côte d'Ivoire due to poor road and vehicle conditions, as well as driver carelessness.

Many drivers also hold licenses without having undergone training. In 2023, the country introduced a points-based driving license, giving each driver a total of 12 points that can be deducted depending on the severity of the violation.

The Côte d'Ivoire government has also installed cameras on the country's main roads to fine violators.

According to the Ministry of Transport of Côte d'Ivoire, an average of 1,000 to 1,500 people die each year on the country's roads, out of a total of 1.5 million vehicles on the road.