NORTHEN PROVINCE - Eight people, among them five children, died when a Fuso truck rammed into them on Tuesday in Gisenyi town.

Traffic Police Commander Superintendent Robert Niyonshuti said the accident occurred at about 1.30 p.m. near Gisenyi Hospital. The victims, whose names were not readily available by press time, are all residents of Gisenyi.

The vehicle, spotting DRC number plates, crashed into them as they walked on foot. They were rushed to Gisenyi Hospital where they died shortly thereafter.

Niyonshuti attributed the accident to failure of the brakes. He, however, cautioned pedestrians to avoid moving in the middle of the road.

"We have dedicated a week to educate people on proper road use,” he said. adding that vehicles in dangerous mechanical condition should also not be allowed on the road.

This is the second fatal accident reported in the region within a space of one week. The first one took place on July 4 when a United Nations lorry ran into a minibus taxi on the Kigali-Goma road.

Three passengers died and two others suffered severe injuries at Jenda, Nyabihu district. Apparently it was also attributed to a failure of brakes.

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