A devastating road accident along the Katiola-Niakara highway has left 16 people dead and 51 others injured, authorities confirmed on Monday. The crash occurred at approximately 6 a.m. on Sunday, July 27, 2025, near Kilometer Point 24 on the busy transit route.
According to security sources, the collision involved a DAF public transport bus travelling between San Pedro and Ouagadougou and a Tata dump truck carrying a crane. The impact, described by first responders as “violent,” caused the immediate deaths of multiple passengers, while dozens sustained serious and minor injuries. Emergency crews from the Hambol Civil Protection Centre rushed to the scene, providing first aid before transferring the injured to Katiola Regional Hospital (CHR) for treatment.
In an official statement, Oumar Sacko, Director General of Land Transport and Traffic, extended condolences to grieving families and conveyed wishes for a swift recovery to those injured. Transport Minister Amadou Koné also dispatched the regional transport director for Katiola to the site to oversee the response and collect preliminary findings.
The Bureau of Investigation and Analysis of Accidents (BEA) has launched an administrative and technical inquiry to determine the precise circumstances of the collision, which has been described as one of the deadliest in the Hambol region this year.
Given the severity of the incident, the Ministry of Transport issued a renewed appeal to motorists, urging them to exercise extreme caution and strictly observe traffic regulations. The ministry also warned against reckless driving and other forms of incivility on the roads, which continue to contribute to a rising toll of deadly accidents across the country.
Officials said findings from the BEA investigation would guide future enforcement and preventive measures aimed at improving safety on Ivory Coast’s highways, where high-speed transit and heavy commercial traffic often pose serious risks to travellers.
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