Seven people, including the driver, were killed and 13 others seriously injured when a Gambian-registered commercial passenger vehicle collided with a fuel tanker in Guinea-Conakry on Tuesday, 7 July 2026.
The accident occurred as the bus, registration number KM 7387 G, was traveling from Kanifing Municipality in The Gambia to Freetown, Sierra Leone, via Guinea. It carried 20 passengers when it slammed into the tanker, registration AR 7222.
According to the General Transport Union (GTU) of The Gambia, the driver who died was not a Gambian national. Among the passengers were two Gambian nationals – a man and a woman – both of whom survived and are receiving medical treatment in Guinean hospitals alongside the other injured victims.
The GTU said it immediately activated its emergency response network following the crash. The union is working closely with the Gambian Consular Office in Conakry, its counterpart transport union in Guinea, Guinean security authorities, and relevant Gambian government ministries to provide support to the victims and their families.
A GTU member, Mr. Pa Gaye, who was traveling through Guinea to Freetown, is currently at the scene assisting with coordination efforts and liaising with officials on the ground.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the GTU Executive Committee expressed gratitude to the Government of The Gambia, particularly the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad, for its swift intervention. The union also thanked the Gambian consular staff, Guinean authorities, and local transport unions for their ongoing cooperation.
“The Executive Committee extends its deepest condolences to the families, relatives, and loved ones of those who lost their lives in this tragic accident,” the statement read.
The GTU urged all commercial drivers and road users to exercise greater caution, obey traffic regulations, and prioritize safety, especially on long-distance cross-border journeys.
As of Wednesday evening, the 13 injured passengers remained under medical care in Guinea. The GTU said it would continue to monitor the situation and provide further updates as more verified information becomes available.
The crash is the latest in a series of road traffic accidents along West African transit routes, where heavy vehicles, long distances, and varying road conditions continue to pose significant risks to travelers.
