At least 14 perish in Pakwach road accident

Wreckage of Fuso truck, Reg. number UAV 118S. Photo by Benedict Okethwengu

ROAD CARNAGE 

PAKWACH - At least 14 people have been confirmed dead and several others injured, following a lorry accident in Pakwach district on Sunday. 

The accident reportedly occurred at Got Malara, 2 km from Panyimur landing site.          

Got Malara is perceived as a notorious black spot where many fatal accidents occur.  

Residents have also renamed it Uvuru Nubi, literally meaning "the remains of the Muslims" after scores of them perished in an accident at the same spot while returning from Eid celebrations in Panyimur.

The lorry of a businessman only identified as Giyom, is yet to be removed after it lost control and crushed into the valley recently.

Jackson Oryema, an eye witness said the victims met their fate after the Fuso  truck registration number UAV 118S, they were traveling in lost control and veered off the road, before it overturned several times falling into the valley .

Oryema, said he physically counted 15 bodies, 12 of them belonging to women, during the rescue operation. He estimates that over 30 people were on board at the time of the accident.

"It was terrible at the scene; I saw human flesh scattered with blood flowing all over. In fact I counted about 14 dead bodies," He said.

Josephine Angucia, the West Nile police spokesperson confirmed the incident.

She said the victims mostly women were fish mongers from Ariwara and Durba in DR. Congo travelling to Panyimur to buy fish.

  "It's very unfortunate we 14 lost people mostly women dealing in fish trade," She said.

Angucia, however, said the death toll is likely to rise, as those injured are in critical condition. 

She said the survivors have been rushed Panyimur Health Center III and Angal hospital for treatment.

Jimmy Oryema, the in-charge at Panyimur health center III, said, he has so far received 14 bodies and an unspecified number of those injured.  He however did not reveal their identities.

Fish trade has been a business dominated by women and Panyimur boasts of two major landing sites which include Abok and Dei landing sites.

These landing sites become a beehive of activity on market days attracting fish traders from all the West Nile districts and Masindi, Bundibugyo, Kibale, Hoima Sironko, South Sudan and Democratic Republic of Congo.

Richard Orieda, the former Nebbi district secretary for security said there is need for a sign post at Got Malara.

He noted that the place has become famous for accidents, adding that hardly a week passes without an accident occurring at the same spot.

He also called for the need to work on the sharp corner to avoid the incident of vehicles losing control.