Bus Crash in Benin: 1 Dead, 44 Missing After Vehicle Plunges Into Oueme River

A tragic accident in central Benin has left one person dead and 44 others missing after a passenger bus plunged into the Oueme River overnight. The bus, operated by STM, was traveling from Lomé (Togo) to Niamey (Niger) when the driver lost control and crashed through a bridge railing, according to Interior Minister Alassane Seidou.

Authorities say the vehicle “ended up at the bottom of the water,” and search operations are ongoing to recover the missing passengers.

Nine passengers survived the crash and were transported to a hospital in Savé, the nearest major city. Officials reported that all are in stable condition. Emergency teams continue to monitor their recovery as the rescue mission intensifies.

Minister Seidou confirmed that all available resources are being deployed in the rescue effort, including local divers and emergency response teams. As of Sunday evening, the bus remained submerged in the river, making recovery operations difficult.

The Oueme River—Benin’s longest river—poses a challenge for rescue teams due to strong currents and limited nighttime visibility.

STM, the transport company responsible for the bus service, issued a statement expressing condolences to the families of the victims. The company did not confirm casualty numbers, stating it would wait for official reports before releasing further details.

The crash occurred along Interstate 2, a key highway connecting the economic capital Cotonou in the south to Malanville, on the border with Niger. This road is a vital transport corridor for both passengers and goods traveling across the region.

This accident highlights ongoing concerns about road safety in West Africa, where poor road conditions, aging vehicles, and limited enforcement of safety regulations often contribute to deadly crashes. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Africa has the highest road traffic death rates globally, with bus accidents among the leading causes.

As rescue efforts continue, families of the missing wait anxiously for news. Authorities have yet to release the full passenger manifest, raising concerns about the true scale of the tragedy.