At least 22 people, including 17 soldiers, died on Friday in a head-on collision between two buses in southern Niger, according to the Ministry of Transport.
The ministry reported Saturday evening that the collision occurred around 8 a.m. at the exit of Doukou Doukou, located about 50 kilometers from Madaoua. Transport officials described the crash as an accident of particular severity.
The 17 soldiers killed in the crash were finishing their training, the ministry stated in its provisional toll. The crash also left 37 people injured.
Hospital evacuations and safety campaigns
The official Nigerien Press Agency reported that emergency services evacuated the injured passengers to hospitals in Madaoua and Maradi.
The fatal accident happened while government authorities were conducting a major road safety awareness campaign across the country.
Traffic accident statistics in Niger
Traffic accidents remain a frequent hazard in Niger. A report from the Nigerien Road Safety Agency recorded more than 7,000 road accidents in 2025, which caused over 1,200 deaths and more than 4,400 serious injuries.
According to the safety agency, speeding, drunk driving, poorly maintained vehicles, and bad road conditions are the primary causes of collisions in the country.
