Breaking News: Fatal Road Accident Claims 10 Lives in Manitoba
At least 10 people died Thursday in a road accident in central Canada’s Manitoba province, local media reported.
“My heart breaks hearing the news of the tragic accident near Carberry. My most sincere condolences go out to all those involved,”
— Heather Stefanson, Manitoba’s Premier
Canadian police reported that officers were responding to a “mass casualty collision” near the town of Carberry, west of Winnipeg, that involved a semi-trailer truck and a minivan specialized for transporting disabled people. The incident claimed 10 lives and left the highway closed in both directions. The authorities urged motorists to avoid the area.
Nirmesh Vadera, who works near the accident site in a roadside hotel restaurant, described the incident as the most horrific he had ever witnessed.
“It was really, really surreal to see the extent of (the accident), because I’ve never seen this kind of fire on any vehicle.”
He added that there were numerous emergency vehicles and two helicopters at the scene of the crash, which occurred around midday. According to media reports, there was a lot of smoke visible around the site.
The tragedy has cast a shadow on Canada’s Manitoba province. Manitoba’s premier, Heather Stefanson, expressed her condolences to those affected by the incident and announced that the flags at the province’s legislative building had been lowered to half-staff “out of respect for those we have tragically lost.”
In 2018, 15 people were killed in Saskatchewan, the neighboring western province, in an accident where a truck collided with a bus carrying young ice hockey players.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those affected by this tragedy.
AFP
