Police in Arua have released the names of people who perished in the fatal accident that happened at Vurra in Arua district after a FUSO lorry overturned and plunged in to River Ala.
According to police 23 people are confirmed dead but the search for other victims still continues as reports say there were 34 people aboard the vehicle.
On Tuesday evening, a FUSO lorry registration number UAP 014Z carrying traders from the market plunged into the river after the bridge collapsed.
Josephine Angucia, the West Nile police spokesperson says four people are still missing. Initially police had said 11 people survived the accident Angucia says they have been able to confirm seven.
She says police is still going ahead with the search for the bodies because they suspect some dead bodies might be buried under the timber and sacks of beans because people sat on them before the tragic accident happened. She attributed the accident to poor condition of the bridge that she says could not withstand the weight of the vehicle because it was over loaded.
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She says police is also not aware of where the driver and his turn man could be because they are not amongst the dead or the injured so far identified.
The accident has attracted attack on Arua district officials as residents say the management of Kuluva hospital wanted to work on the bridge but the district administration rejected. Anguyo Pariyo, a resident of Vurra blames the accident on the district’s failure to make a decision on the bridge.
When contacted over the claims, Arua district officials led by Lawrence Pariyo, the district Engineer declined to comment.
Some of the people so far identified include 17 women and six men. Seven people are nursing injuries in Kuluva and Vurra hospitals. The dead include Abaru Hellen from Pajulu Sub County, and Okrwoth Anna from Arua hill division. The others are Glady’s Ojoro, Ariaka Derik, Likico Beatrice and Lucy Candiru all from Manibe Sub County, and Candiru Alibirina from Dadamu Sub County.
The list also includes Dezu Fostina, Ondoko Rose, Candiru Gloria and Mary Omiatho from Pajulu Sub County, Wewe Grace from Adumi Sub County, Okusaru Janet from Dadamu sub county, Kakura David, Alphonsia Omerembe and Pimundu from Zeu Sub County, and Elia Natalia from Logiri Sub County among others.
Those who are admitted in hospital include Yassin Oreda from Zeu, Abdu Yassin from River Oli division, Gutru Yasili from Pajulu, and Atiku Charles and Joyce Dramaza from Ayivuni Sub County.
Others are Ijiku James from Logiri and Zainabu Safisa from River Oli Division.
