Car crushes seven, injures 29 during Calabar carnival

Seven persons have been confirmed dead after a car rammed into a crowd at the 2022 Calabar carnival in Cross River State.

The state sector commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Maikano Hassan, said the incident occurred on Tuesday during the bikers’ activity in the Bobobiri area of the state.

The 2022 edition of the Calabar carnival commenced on Tuesday with 14 states present to showcase their cultural heritage.

Hassan said a Toyota Camry vehicle lost control and crashed into a crowd watching the activities of the festival.

He said 29 persons, comprising 21 male adults, three women, and five children sustained injuries.

Governor of the state, Ben Ayade, and other dignitaries were already seated to witness the festival before the accident occurred.

The activities for the day were, however, suspended following the incident.

He said all the injured persons are currently receiving medical treatment, while the bodies have been deposited at morgues at two hospitals in Calabar.

The governor commiserated with the families of those who lost their lives, and assured the people that the driver of the vehicle responsible for the accident would be arrested.