PREMIUM TIMES reports that in a road accident along the Akaeze-Ishiagu highway at Akaeze Development Centre, Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, more than 30 people are presumed dead.

The incident occurred about 5:45pm Friday. The bus carrying the passengers allegedly plunged into a river near a road bridge.

A source from the region said the accident happened when an Enugu-bound bus carrying people returning from a burial ceremony in Ebonyi State tried to overtake a trailer just before a local bridge.

The driver of the bus was said to have lost control of the vehicle and veered off into the river and got submerged immediately. As at the time of filing this report, five persons in critical conditions had been reportedly rescued and rushed to the hospital for treatment.

"An accident just occurred at Akaeze Development Centre. A 608 bus carrying 36 persons returning from a burial in Ebonyi heading to Enugu while trying to overtake a trailer, the driver lost control and the bus jumped into the river. Up till now, more than 20 minutes after the incident none of them has been found,’’ the source said.

The police spokesman in the state, Loveth Odah, confirmed the incident describing it as a “very unfortunate incident.”

She, however, disclosed that about five persons had so far been rescued from the river, adding that efforts were on to rescue others.

”It is a very unfortunate incident. The DPO of the area just told me that about five persons have been rescued and rushed to the hospital while efforts were on to see if some other persons can be rescued too. Our men are already on ground to see what can be done to help the situation,” Ms Odah said.