Two broken buses are pictured after they collided on a highway in Gniby, Senegal, on Sunday. At least 40 folks had been killed and dozens injured in crash.

Elimane Fall by way of AP

cover caption

toggle caption

Elimane Fall by way of AP

Two broken buses are pictured after they collided on a highway in Gniby, Senegal, on Sunday. At least 40 folks had been killed and dozens injured in crash.

Elimane Fall by way of AP

DAKAR, Senegal — At least 40 folks had been killed and dozens injured in a bus crash in central Senegal, the nation’s president mentioned Sunday.

President Macky Sall tweeted that the collision occurred in Gnivy village, within the Kaffrine area, at about 3:30 a.m.

“I am deeply saddened by the tragic road accident today in Gniby causing 40 deaths and many serious injuries. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and wish a speedy recovery to the injured,” mentioned Sall.

He declared three days of mourning beginning Monday and mentioned he’ll maintain an inter-ministerial council to debate highway security measures.

Public prosecutor Cheikh Dieng mentioned the crash occurred on National Road No. 1 when a public bus punctured a tire and veered throughout the highway, colliding with one other bus coming from the other way. At least 78 persons are injured, a few of them critically, he mentioned.

Images of the crash on social media present the broken buses rammed into one another and a path of particles alongside the highway.

Traffic crashes occur often within the West African nation due to poor roads, unhealthy vehicles and drivers not adhering to the principles, locals say.

In 2017, no less than 25 folks had been killed when two buses additionally crashed. Many of these folks had been heading towards the central city of Touba for the annual Muslim pilgrimage.