A tragic accident occurred on the Elubo–Takoradi Highway in Ghana on Thursday, October 29, 2026, claiming eight lives and injuring 21 people. The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) reported that a speeding Ivorian-registered bus rammed into the rear of a parked Burkinabè bus, which was obstructing a lane of the busy cross-border highway. The crash happened at Azuletti, near Samenye, at about 7:26 p.m.
The Ivorian-registered bus, with registration number AB-415-AN, was heading towards Benin when it slammed into the stationary Burkinabè bus, registered KJA-5604J. According to the GNFS, the Burkinabè bus was reportedly blocking one lane of the highway, leaving little room for the oncoming Ivorian bus to manoeuvre around it in the dark. This obstruction led to the collision, which resulted in significant damage and loss of life.
The GNFS reported that seven passengers were pronounced dead at the scene, while an eighth victim succumbed to injuries later at hospital. Fire crews from the GNFS Elubo station rescued 21 injured passengers from the wreckage and rushed them to the nearest hospital for treatment. The bodies of the deceased were subsequently handed over to the relevant authorities.
Preliminary investigations by MyJoyOnline point to speeding as a possible contributing factor in the collision. The Elubo–Takoradi Highway is a key route linking Ghana to Côte d'Ivoire and other West African countries, carrying heavy traffic from cross-border passenger buses and cargo trucks, many of which travel at night. The highway's importance and high traffic volume make accidents like this one particularly concerning.
The GNFS stated that the Ivorian bus was travelling from Côte d'Ivoire when the accident occurred. The source of the report did not specify why the Burkinabè bus was parked in a live lane of traffic rather than pulled fully off the road, nor whether it had any hazard lighting or warning signs displayed at the time of the crash. These details may be crucial in determining the full circumstances of the accident.
The accident highlights the need for caution and adherence to road safety regulations, particularly on busy highways like the Elubo–Takoradi Highway. The GNFS and other authorities will likely conduct further inquiries to establish the full circumstances of the crash and identify measures to prevent similar accidents in the future.
The incident has raised concerns about road safety and traffic management on the Elubo–Takoradi Highway. Key factors in the accident appear to have been the parked bus obstructing a lane and the speed of the oncoming Ivorian bus.
Key points
- Eight people died in the accident, and 21 others were injured.
- The accident occurred when a speeding Ivorian bus rammed into a parked Burkinabè bus on the Elubo–Takoradi Highway.
- Speeding is suspected to have been a contributing factor in the collision.
