Kohima, February 01: At least five women lost their lives and nine others were injured on Saturday night after a bus carrying members of the Chümoukedima Ao Baptist Church rolled off the road at Dzüdza Bridge, located between Tsiesema and Peducha under the Peleilizie area within Tsiesema Village jurisdiction.
According to reports, the bus, carrying over 40 church members, was returning from a revival programme in Mokokchung when it reportedly developed a mechanical failure, causing the driver to lose control. The accident occurred around 7:30 pm.
The injured passengers were rushed to the Christian Institute of Health Sciences and Research (CIHSR), Dimapur, for treatment. Hospital sources said the condition of some of the injured remained serious.
Police personnel reached the accident site shortly after receiving information about the mishap. However, further details were yet to be ascertained at the time of filing this report.
A youth leader from Tsiesema Village told that local youths reached the spot within 20 minutes of the accident. The injured were transported to CIHSR using a second bus that was part of the church entourage. An excavator was later requisitioned to retrieve the body of one victim who was trapped beneath the overturned bus.
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The youth leader also recalled that a similar accident involving a bus from Tuensang had reportedly occurred earlier at the same location.
Volunteers from the Northern Angami Youth Organisation (NAYO), led by its president, along with police and district administration officials, arrived at the site to provide assistance and assess the situation. Youths from NAYO and Tsiesema Village also donated shawls to drape the bodies of the deceased.
Condolences poured in from leaders across the state. Tourism and Higher Education Minister Temjen Imna Along expressed grief over the tragedy and extended condolences to the bereaved families, while wishing a speedy recovery to the injured.
PHED and Cooperation Minister Jacob Zhimomi also described the incident as most unfortunate and conveyed heartfelt sympathies to the families affected, offering prayers for those injured and mourning the loss of lives.
