- Twenty-four pupils died after a school bus crashed in eastern Uganda
- Twenty-three injured victims are receiving treatment in hospital
- Uganda has suspended all school excursions pending investigations
The number of pupils killed in the Uganda school excursion bus crash has increased to 24 after three more children died while receiving treatment in hospital.
Eko Hot Blog gathered that Uganda Police confirmed the updated casualty figure in a statement released on Friday by the Public Relations Officer of the Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety, SP Michael Kananura.
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According to the police, 18 of the victims have been identified, while three unidentified bodies are at Kapchorwa Hospital and another three remain at Mbale Hospital.
Kananura said 23 injured victims are still receiving treatment at Kapchorwa Hospital, while pupils who escaped serious injuries have safely returned to Kampala aboard a Gateway Bus.
He added that the driver of the bus has not yet been formally identified but is believed to be among those critically injured and currently receiving treatment in Mbale.
The excursion reportedly departed Kampala at about 5 a.m. with two buses and two taxis. Only one bus was involved in the fatal accident, while the remaining vehicles completed the trip and returned safely with their occupants.
Following the tragedy, Uganda’s Minister of Education and Sports convened an emergency meeting with key stakeholders and announced the immediate suspension of all school educational excursions nationwide.
The suspension is intended to allow authorities to investigate the causes of recent school transport accidents, review existing safety measures for educational trips, and carry out nationwide road safety awareness campaigns targeting schools, transport operators, teachers and other stakeholders.
Police also directed every school group currently on excursion to report to the nearest police station, where officers would provide security escorts to ensure their safe return.
Expressing sympathy to those affected, Kananura said the Uganda Police, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Sports, extended condolences to the bereaved families, pupils, staff and the entire King David Junior School community.
He added that further information, including the outcome of ongoing investigations and revised safety guidelines for school transportation and excursions, would be made public after the inquiry is completed.
The latest update comes after police had initially confirmed 21 deaths before three of the injured pupils later succumbed to their injuries in hospital.
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