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“I share in their pain”: Catholic Bishop in Cameroon Condoles with Road Accident Victims

Tragic road accident that occurred on March 31, reportedly resulting in the death of at least six students and injury of dozens. Credit: Courtesy Photo

The Bishop of Cameroon’s Buea Diocese has condoled with victims of the tragic road accident that occurred on March 31, reportedly resulting in the death of at least six students and injury of dozens.

“I extend my sincere condolences and spiritual closeness to the families of the deceased, and share in their pain,” Bishop Michael Miabesue Bibi says in his statement shared with ACI Africa Monday, April 3.

The accident occurred when a truck loaded with sand collided with a public transport bus carrying students of  Government Technical High School (GTHS) Ombe, a locality within the Catholic Diocese of Buea.

Bishop Bibi says he “learnt with a saddened heart the tragic news of the death of over 6 persons and several others wounded due to a ghastly motor accident at Moliwe in the early hours of Friday, 31st March, 2023.”

“The incident occurred in the neighborhood of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Mission Moliwe, found in the circumscription of St. John of God Parish, Bonadikombod,” Bishop Bibi says in his statement dated April 1. 

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Making reference to the March 31 communique of the City Mayor of Limbe, the Cameroonian Catholic Bishop says, “The accident was the result of a head-on collision between a Mercedes Truck and a Toyota HIACE 19-seater bus. Several of the victims included students from a government institution.”

In the March 31 communique, the City Mayor of Limbe indicates that “a team composed of Administrative and Local Authorities accompanied by various technical competent services identified 26 victims involved in the accident.”

“Amongst the victims, three students, two children of 5 -7 years old and the driver of the 19-seater Hiace bus died,” Paul Efome Lisombe Ngale adds.

The City Mayor further says, “Immediate measures in collaboration with the population were taken to transport victims to the Limbe Regional hospital and the Mutengene Baptist Health Center (Mbingo) where they are being provided with intensive medical care.”

He invites “all road users to take necessary precautions in respecting speed limits and the Highway Code.”

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In his April 1 statement shared with ACI Africa, the Local Ordinary of Buea Diocese asks all “diocesan communities to pray that God in his infinite mercy may grant eternal rest to the departed souls, heal the wounded, and strengthen the survivors.” 

“May He also grant consolation to the bereaved families in this moment of grief,” he implores.

Bishop Bibi further implores, “As we journey towards Holy Week and the Celebration of Easter, may the merits of our Lord's Passion, Death and Resurrection win pardon for the souls of the faithful departed, and continue to heal and bless our land.”

Jude Atemanke is a Cameroonian journalist with a passion for Catholic Church communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Buea in Cameroon. Currently, Jude serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.