A bus transporting journalists covering the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) suffered a serious accident, causing injuries to several individuals, including the bus driver. The incident occurred during the return journey from Yamoussoukro to Abidjan, as reported on Wednesday, January 24, 2024.
Local media sources indicate that the bus, chartered by the AFCON Organizing Committee (Cocan) of Côte d’Ivoire, veered off the road and collided forcefully with the wall of a warehouse at considerable speed.
The impact resulted in numerous injuries, with the bus conductor becoming trapped and requiring a delicate extraction. The bus driver also sustained severe injuries.
The AFCON press service promptly issued a statement, expressing regret over the unfortunate incident. “We regret to inform that the convoy of journalists covering AFCON 2023 was involved in a tragic bus accident during the return from Yamoussoukro to Abidjan around 2 a.m.
Fortunately, most of those on board suffered minor injuries. However, we have two seriously injured, the driver and the conductor,” Cocan conveyed in their official communication.
The injured individuals, including the conductor whose foot was trapped, were swiftly transported to the University Hospital Center (CHU) in Treichville for urgent medical attention.
Cocan assured ongoing coordination with medical authorities to monitor their health conditions closely.
Cocan extended gratitude to the rescuers and medical teams involved in the prompt response at the accident site and Treichville University Hospital.
They reiterated their commitment to providing regular updates as the situation evolves, emphasizing the priority placed on the safety and well-being of fellow journalists.
Dounia Mesli, an Africa Top Sports special correspondent who narrowly escaped the tragic incident, shared her relief on Facebook upon reaching Abidjan safely.
She expressed concern for her colleagues, stating, “The bus from Yamoussoukro to Abidjan had an accident of its own, several injuries were reported, including the driver according to a source, and several journalists were taken to the hospital! My thoughts to my colleagues.”
The incident underscores the risks faced by journalists covering major sporting events, prompting heightened attention to safety measures and emergency preparedness.
