NB247
The Zamfara State Government has reacted to the tragedy that resulted in the death of 19 passengers as they drowned on Saturday while trying to cross a damaged bridge.
Nineteen people have died in Zamfara State after a vehicle conveying a bride and her companions fell into a river in Gummi Local Government Area.
The vehicle was trying to cross a broken bridge between Gwalli village and Gummi town.
Witnesses said the passengers were from Fass village and were on their way to Kebbi State to take the bride to her matrimonial home after her wedding.
A resident, Muhammad Fatihu, said the driver, who was not familiar with the road, drove onto a damaged part of the bridge that had been filled with sand and stones leading the vehicle to tip over.
“When the car first got stuck, the driver stopped to check, and the bride with a few others came down as well but before anything could be done, the vehicle tilted and fell into the river,” the eyewitness revealed.
Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, condoled with the families and people of Gummi Local Government Area of the state over the loss of the passengers.
The governor, who spoke through the Commissioner of Information, Alhaji Mahmud Dantawasa, described the incident as “an act of God.”
Dantawasa said, “The Zamfara State Government has received with shock the demise of several passengers drowned in the river after a wedding ceremony.