Niger bus crash kills at least 22, including 17 soldiers

Yesterday 17:15

At least 22 people were killed in southern Niger after two buses collided, with soldiers accounting for most of the victims, the country's Transport Ministry said.

The crash occurred late Friday, around 50 kilometres from Madaoua, when the two vehicles collided head-on. Seventeen of those killed were members of the armed forces, according to the ministry.

Another 37 people were injured and emergency services responded to the scene.

Investigation opened into fatal collision

Niger's official ANP news agency reported that one of the buses was carrying soldiers. Authorities have opened an investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the collision.

The deadly crash comes as Niger continues efforts to raise public awareness about road safety. Serious traffic accidents are common across the vast Sahelian country, where long-distance road travel remains essential.

Road safety remains a major concern

Official figures illustrate the scale of the problem. In 2025, Niger recorded more than 7,000 road accidents, resulting in over 1,200 deaths and more than 4,400 serious injuries, according to the Nigerien Agency for Road Safety.

Authorities have repeatedly identified excessive speed, driving under the influence of alcohol, poor road conditions and the deteriorated state of some vehicles among the main factors behind road crashes.

The latest collision is likely to reinforce calls for stronger road-safety measures, particularly on major routes linking communities across Niger.