19 Wedding Guests Burnt to Death in Plateau Road Accident
By Okafor Joseph Afam
January 14, 2025
Tragedy struck in Plateau State when no fewer than 19 wedding guests were burnt to death in a horrific road accident in the Kwana Macji area of Pankshin Local Government Area.
The victims, who hailed from Kano State, were returning home after attending a wedding ceremony in Barkin Ladi. According to eyewitnesses, their vehicle was involved in a mishap and tragically caught fire during the rescue efforts, trapping and killing the passengers.
John Dasar, Chairman of the Pankshin LGA Emergency Management Committee, confirmed the incident, stating that the accident occurred on Saturday. “The victims were from Kano and had taken a shorter route through Gindiri to Bauchi. Unfortunately, while people were helping them out of the vehicle, it caught fire and trapped the deceased,” Dasar said.
While some passengers, including the driver, managed to escape the flames, the survivors sustained varying degrees of injuries. Immediate medical attention was provided, with the injured first taken to Pankshin General Hospital before being transferred to Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) for intensive care.
Felix Gonung, Chairman of Pankshin LGA, personally coordinated the rescue and medical arrangements, accompanied by Health Councillor Lengyang Tali, the Police Divisional Officer, and officials from the Federal Road Safety Corps. Survivors with minor injuries were later transported back to Kano State.
The tragic incident has left families and the communities in Kano and Plateau States in mourning, highlighting the need for improved road safety and emergency response systems across the region.
