By Kei Emmanuel Duku
A passenger bus belonging to Bebeto Company travelling from Juba to Kampala was destroyed by fire between Obama Village and Nimule. The incident left passengers stranded and the bus company facing significant losses.
Bor Peter Joseph, a passenger on the ill-fated bus, recounted that the fire started after a tyre burst. Despite the incident, the bus driver continued driving, leading to the catastrophic fire.
He further stated that the convoy of buses, including the Bebeto bus, departed Juba at 6 AM under a security escort. However, when the fire broke out, the convoy continued, leaving the burning bus behind.
“All of us managed to reach the Elegu border post safely, some of the passengers were rescued by other buses coming from Kampala to Juba and I am here stranded at Elegu with 20 other passengers, the management brought Gold line Bus so that can we could continue with our Journey to Kampala but the passengers refused because the bus is too old and the condition is not all that good and could expose them into further risk,” said Peter.
He estimated that between 50 and 60 passengers were on board. Fortunately, all passengers managed to escape unharmed, although they lost their belongings in the fire.
He expressed frustration with the lack of assistance from other buses in the convoy, which could have helped extinguish the fire or rescue passengers.
Peter also criticized the lack of essential safety features on the bus, such as fire extinguishers. He urged road users, particularly bus drivers taxi operators, and bus proprietors to prioritize passenger safety by equipping their vehicles with necessary safety measures.
“There was nothing like a fire extinguisher, the one they have was multifunctional, they tried using soil but it could not help, other buses were just bypassing us they could not help, it was a terrible and nasty incident, this is a long distance and all necessary measures could have been put in place but is like they only value money, not our precious lives” he added.
Chidong Tuel, another passenger, corroborated Peter’s account, stating that the Bebeto bus driver’s reckless driving contributed to the accident.
Tuel emphasized the importance of fire extinguishers on long-distance buses to prevent such tragedies.
“After our bus was recklessly overtaken by the Bebeto bus on a sharp bend, we soon noticed a plume of smoke rising in the distance. Our driver stopped the bus, but we were instructed to remain inside while passengers scrambled to retrieve their luggage from the boot. Initially, the smoke was white, but it quickly turned dark and ominous. When we left the scene, the bus was engulfed in flames, likely reduced to ashes,” Tuel explained.
The incident highlighted the need for stricter regulations and improved safety standards in the transportation sector.
It is imperative that bus companies prioritize passenger safety and ensure that their vehicles are well-maintained and equipped with necessary safety features.