Truck kills 4 masquerades, 40 others at yam festival in Anambra

Over 45 people were killed on Sunday in Ibughubu, Umuchu community, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State when an articulated truck (trailer) crashed into a crowd of people celebrating the popular New Yam Festival in the area.
Unconfirmed report says four masquerades were among the victims who died instantly.
As at the time of filing this report last night, the police could not confirm the death toll from the incident which occurred at about 6pm.Some villagers, who called their relations in Abuja to inform them of the disaster, said that the trailer carrying bamboo sticks allegedly rammed into the crowd.
It was learnt that when some irate youths attempted to kill the driver and occupants of the vehicle, some worshippers at a nearby Catholic church assisted the police to rescue them.
Sources said that the church members immediately locked the gates to prevent the youths from giving them jungle justice before the police arrived on the scene and dispersed them.
At the time of filing this report, the bodies of those trapped under the vehicle were still being retrieved.
The state Police Command, Public Relations Officer DSP Ali Okechukwu confirmed the accident.
He however put the death toll at 15, saying a better picture on the disaster would emerge today.
First report by The Authority Newspaper anchored by Odogwu Emeka Odogwu