No fewer than 14 traders from Isi Gate Market lost their lives on Saturday while returning from Enugu State, where they had attended a traditional marriage ceremony.
The accident occurred at about 6:45 PM along the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway.
The victims, who conduct their businesses along Bonny Street by Owerri Road, Umuahia, had traveled to Enugu to attend the marriage of one of their fellow traders.
On their way back, tragedy struck when the Toyota Coaster bus they were riding collided with a Mercedes truck, resulting in the immediate death of eleven passengers. Three more passengers later died from injuries sustained in the accident, while several others remain in critical condition.
The accident was confirmed by the Enugu State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Franklin Agbakoba.
When Newspot visited Bonny Street by Owerri Road, Umuahia, on Sunday afternoon, the trading base of the late traders, the area was calm and largely deserted, as many traders had closed their shops in sympathy for their deceased colleagues.
A few traders who came out were seen shedding tears over the tragic deaths of their friends and fellow traders.
