At least seven persons have been confirmed dead by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) after a car rammed into a crowd at the ongoing 2022 Calabar carnival in Cross River state.
Other sources put the figure of the dead at 10.
The Sector Commander of the corps, Maikano Hassan, said that the tragedy occurred on Tuesday during the bikers’ activity in the Bobobiri area of the state.
Hassan said a Toyota Camry vehicle lost control and crashed into a crowd watching the activities of the festival.
At least 29 persons, comprising 21 male adults, three women, and five children sustained injuries.
The bodies of the dead have been deposited at two morgues, while the injured persons are currently receiving medical treatment, as Governor Ben Ayade has closed the bikers segment of the carnival.
He has also promised that the driver of the vehicle involved in the tragedy will be arrested.
In a statement signed by his media adviser, Mr. Christian ita, Ayade ordered immediate investigation into the incident.
“While sympathising with the victims of the accident and their families, the governor has ordered an immediate investigation to unravel how the motorist was able to get through security barricades to have access to the routes which were closed to the public,” the statement added.