It has been revealed that occupants of the  vehicles involved in a ghastly accident at the Zarama axis of East/West road last weekend were heading to Calabar, for this year’s annual  carnival of the state.

At least,  seven passengers were roasted to death, leaving nine others with fatal injuries  following an accident. The accident which generated fear in the community occurred at about 10.20am causing heavy traffic jam on both sides of the road.

One of the vehicles involved in the accident , an 18 seater Toyota Hiace with registration number YB 820 AAA was said to have exploded and gone in flames after the collision resulting to the death of the passengers including  its driver.

An eyewitness, Mr. Joel Ebi, said the commercial bus was travelling from Warri in Delta State to Calabar, Cross River State when the crash occurred.

The second vehicle, a Toyata Siena bus with registration number BJ 292 BWR was conveying a family of eight from Warri to Aba, Abia state.

It was gathered that only the driver of the Siena bus sustained a minor injury.

Remains of the passengers have been deposited at the morgue of the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital, Okolobiri by officials of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC),while the rescued commuters are receiving medical treatments.

It was gathered that both vehicles were on speed as one of them was attempting to over take which resulted to the collision as both vehicles veered off the road.

Another witness, Mr. Amabebe, said immediately the accident occurred, the Hiace Bus veered off the road and found itself close to his farm, adding that he heard a loud explosion before the vehicle caught fire. He said:” The bus suddenly burst into flames. We rushed to the scene and were able to rescue seven of the passengers.

One of  the survivors of the accident  in the  Siena bus, who maintained anonymity thanked God for saving her life and her family.

In an interview, an official of the FRSC, Chukwuma Ukaegbu, who is the Unit Commander of Sagbama local government, blamed the accident on total disregard to traffic regulations by the accidented vehicles.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Alex Akhigbe, confirmed the accident but said he was yet to get the details .