19 wedding guests died when the vehicle plunged into the Zamfara River

At least 19 people were killed and several others were declared missing after the vehicle that delivered a wedding guest fell into the river in the Fass community, the Gummi Regional Government in the state of Zamfara on Sunday.

The victims consist of female bride and groom members.

Witnesses told reporters on Monday that the incident occurred when the Bobrok Bridge collapsed under the burden of an overloaded 18-Kursi bus.

There are more than 40 passengers, including women and children, on the bus during the accident.

The victims travel to Sakaba Village in the Wasagu Regional Government in the Kebbi state when the Toyota Hummer model buses fell into the river.

According to eyewitnesses, after the vehicle fell into the water, only 17 bodies were initially recovered, with one recovery the next day, while the other victims were still missing.

The victims, who came from three zuru communities, Jega in the state of Kebbi, and Fass in the state of Zamfara, had gathered at Fass Village to travel to the wedding of the bride, who was identified as Hafsa Kabiru.

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A community resident said the dilapidated bridge was built by local residents after being abandoned by the government despite several appeal by the people.

“The bridge, which has been damaged for more than five years, is known by local residents as a trap of death, especially during the rainy season when flooding water makes the area almost unbelievable,” said the resident.

“When the convoy approached the dangerous part of the road near the bridge that collapsed, the overloaded bus driver tried to navigate a dangerous intersection.

“The victims are members of the late Sheikh Dauda Fass, former members of the State Council Council.

“The car fell from the bridge into the water. When they were taken out, we found 19 of them dead, including men, women, and children.

“The bridge, which connects several cities and villages in the area, has been damaged for years.

“The bridge was rehabilitated during the administration of former Governor Abdulazeez Yari. However, it was eroded by heavy rain seven years ago, leaving the community to fight alone.”