With the Grand Magal of Touba set for Wednesday, August 13, authorities are intensifying road safety measures as millions of worshippers prepare to travel from across Senegal and beyond.
Last year’s event drew nearly five million participants, turning the roads to the holy city into a continuous flow of vehicles and pedestrians.
The sheer scale of the pilgrimage makes traffic management a critical concern.
Recent assessments paint a worrying picture. Firefighters reported 75 traffic-related incidents in the lead-up to the Magal, involving 170 victims, five of whom died. Overall, these incidents accounted for more than half of the 120 emergency interventions recorded during the same period.
Commander Yatma Diéye urged heightened vigilance, particularly from pedestrians.
“Pedestrians must pay attention to the rules when crossing roads,” he said, noting that non-compliance with highway regulations remains a major factor in accidents.
The combination of saturated roadways, private vehicles, buses, motorcycle taxis, and streams of pedestrians increases the risk of collisions.
Reckless behavior, including speeding, dangerous overtaking, and careless crossings, is particularly prevalent as pilgrims approach Touba, turning the roads into high-pressure traffic corridors where small errors can have fatal consequences.
Authorities stress that safety is a shared responsibility.
Beyond surveillance operations, organizers and law enforcement are calling on pilgrims to respect speed limits, plan their journeys carefully, and adhere to basic safety rules.
“The journey is as important as the destination,” officials said, highlighting the need for caution in a context of mass movement.
The Magal, a moment of deep spiritual significance, requires meticulous preparation not only for religious observance but also to safeguard lives. As the faithful converge on Touba, officials hope that heightened awareness and compliance with safety measures will ensure that the pilgrimage remains a celebration of devotion rather than a tragedy on the roads.
About The Author
