The death toll in the tragic Calabar Carnival accident has risen to eight.
Federal Highway Safety Corps (FRSC) Sector Commander in Cross River, Maikano Hassan, confirmed this to NAN on Wednesday.
Remember, a tragic accident occurred during the Bikers Parade, an integral part of the annual Calabar Carnival, on Tuesday.
The accident occurred in front of the Juma Mosque in Bujoberi when the driver of the Camry lost control and crashed into a crowd of onlookers.
Seven people were said to have died on the spot while 29 others were taken to the Naval Hospital and University of Calabar Teaching Hospital for medical attention.
Among the wounded were 21 adult men, three women, two children and three females.
The FRSC Sector Commander said the additional victim was one of the three injured girls.
We went to the hospital where the wounded were being treated, only to find that another death had been recorded.
“We are also happy to say that some of those injured in the accident have been released from hospital while others have been responding well to treatment,” he said.
“Nan” reported that Tuesday’s incident, which was attended by Governor Ben Ayada and other dignitaries, abruptly ended the activity of the fifth day of the carnival.
Also, the annual carnival, which began during the administration of former governor Donald Duke, has not been held in the past two years.
The carnival was suspended in 2020 due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, while no reason was given for its failure in 2021.
Meanwhile, the governor offered his condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and promised to bring the driver of the car who caused the accident into custody.
Calabar carnival tragedy: death toll rises to 8 – FRSC confirms
