Huge bus crash leaves 63 people dead after drivers tried overtaking on motorway

A horror crash left at least 63 people dead. The harrowing incident saw two buses, which were travelling in opposite directions, smashing head-on on a busy highway in Uganda while they were both attempting to overtake a car, police have confirmed.

As one of the buses reportedly swerved across the road to try to avoid crashing, it collided with the other coach, which was also full of passengers at the time. Police have said that all occupants from the involved vehicles have sustained injuries. The crash then caused a "chain reaction" as other cars came past and overturned as they attempted to avoid the smash. Dozens of others were found injured by the roadside when emergency services arrived at the scene in Kitaleba village in the Yumbe District of northern Uganda. Police have said they fear the number of casualties may rise due to the severity of some of the injuries.

The horrific accident took place on the Kampala-Gulu Highway at 00:15am local time, the Ugandan Police Force has said.

According to The Sun, the buses involved were from two separate companies - Planet Company and Nile Star Coaches. A Toyota and a Tata lorry were also involved, both of which were badly damaged.

An investigation has been launched to determine the exact cause of the crash. The bodies of the deceased were conveyed to a hospital mortuary for post-mortem and identification.

Director of Traffic and Road Safety for the Uganda Police Force, Kananura Michael, said in a statement: "As investigations continue, we strongly urge all motorists to exercise maximum caution on the roads, especially avoiding dangerous and careless overtaking, which remains one of the leading causes of crashes in the country.

"We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and wish a quick recovery to the injured."

At least 16 people were killed and 21 others were injured after a Gulu-bound bus crashed into a stationary trailer on the same highway in northern Uganda in August 2024. At the time, traffic police said that 104 road crashes had been reported across Uganda between December 30, 2022 and January 1. In 28 of them, people had lost their lives, Assistant Supt of Police Faridah Nampiima said, according to africanews.

This horrific incident comes just two days after a cargo plane skidded off the runway at Hong Kong International Airport and plummeted into the sea, leaving two people dead. The flight, arriving from Dubai, was attempting to land at the airport around 3:50am when the accident occurred. Four crew members were pulled from the wreckage and rushed to the hospital, but two people, believed to be on an airport ground vehicle, were killed.