Monday, October 24, 2016 has been declared as the day of national mourning for the victims of train derailment between the capital Yaounde and Douala. Over 75 people were killed and more than 600 were injured in the accident. The number continues to rise two days after it took place in Eseka.
According to Edgar Alain Mebe Ngo’o, the transport minister, the train was carrying more passengers than usual when it derailed in Eseka on Friday.
The Douala-Yaounde Highway collapsed at Matomb on Friday morning after two days of heavy rainfall, forcing more people to seek rail transport.
President Paul Biya expressed heartfelt condolences to the families of those affected and declared that “All flags in the country shall fly at half-mast on Monday” in memory of the victims of the accident.
