KAMPALA, May 5 (Xinhua) -- Many people are feared dead after a passenger bus lost control and burst into flames on Monday evening in the central Ugandan district of Buikwe.
Michael Kananura, spokesperson for the Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety, said in a statement issued here that dozens of people lost their lives after a bus collided with a commercial motorcycle -- commonly known as boda boda -- lost control, and caught fire at Makindu trading center.
According to police, the bus was traveling from Kampala, the capital, to the eastern district of Soroti, along the highway linking Kisoga with Nyega, when the fatal accident occurred at around 5 p.m. local time.
"It [bus] overturned and caught fire, resulting in the loss of lives," said Kananura. "We will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available."
He said passengers with multiple injuries have been rushed to Kawolo Hospital, St. Francis Lwanga Hospital in Buikwe District, and other nearby health facilities to receive medical attention.
"Police and emergency services are on the scene, working to extinguish the fire and retrieve the bodies of those who perished in the crash," Kananura said.
Eyewitnesses posted pictures and videos of the scene, while local media reported that more than 40 people could have been killed after the flames engulfed the bus.
The bus was reportedly carrying more than 70 passengers at the time of the accident. ■