At least 13 people were killed in a tragic road accident on the Owo-Ikare Akoko Expressway, near Abule Panu village in Owo Local Government Area, Ondo State, on Saturday.
According to the Ondo Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the two vehicles involved in the crash collided head-on and caught fire, resulting in the deaths of all occupants.
The Sector Commander, Dr. Samuel Ibitoye, confirmed the fatality in a statement issued on Saturday, noting that the accident occurred at approximately 10:14 am.
The crash claimed the lives of 13 people, and the victims were reported to be burnt beyond recognition.
Only one individual survived the collision but sustained serious injuries.
Emergency responders, including the FRSC, police, and state fire service, quickly arrived at the scene, but the fire had already engulfed both buses.
Ibitoye explained, “A total of 14 people were involved in the crash—13 were burnt beyond recognition, while one was rescued alive with serious injuries.”
Eyewitnesses reported that the bus traveling from the Ikare axis suffered a tyre burst, causing the driver to lose control.
The bus then collided head-on with a bus loaded with fabric, which was coming from the Owo axis. Both buses caught fire immediately after the crash.
The survivor was taken to the Federal Medical Centre in Owo, while the bodies of the deceased were deposited at the hospital’s morgue.
In his statement, Ibitoye urged road users to be patient and exercise caution while driving.
He emphasized the importance of regular vehicle maintenance and encouraged passengers to report dangerous driving practices, highlighting that road safety is a shared responsibility.
