3 killed in deadly highway accident

JUBA – At least three people have been killed and five others are critically injured after a vehicle traveling along the Juba-Torit-Magwi highway overturned on Friday, state police authorities in Eastern Equatoria State.

The Eastern Equatoria State director of traffic police Lieutenant Satiro Emmanuel said the car overturned because of over speeding and three people died while five of the eight passengers are nurturing wounds.

“When the vehicle overturned three people died on the spot and five people are in critical condition and they are currently at the Torit State Hospital,” Satiro is quoted by Radio Tamazuj as saying.

“According to the driver, the tyre burst while at high speed. He tried but was unable to control it and the vehicle overturned with its tyres up. This happens, so people should be careful. Over-speeding does not help, try to drive at low speed because of the passengers,” he added.

For his part, Eastern Equatoria police commissioner Monday Enoka confirmed the incident but blamed the construction companies for failing to place traffic signs along the road.

“When I was traveling to Juba, I found many accidents that there were in some spots where it could have been indicated by the construction company so that the drivers are aware of the dangers,” he said.

“In some places, the driver is surprised by something on the road in less than a foot. This has been the major cause of the accident and is a concern to us. There is also overspeeding since the highway is clean,” he added.