Cameroon mourns victims of train accident: at least 75 dead, over 600 injured

Cameroon has declared Monday, October 24, 2016 as the day of national mourning for the victims of the train derailment between the capital Yaounde and Douala killing at least 75 people on Friday.

Over 600 people were injured in the accident and the numbers continue to rise two days after it took place at Eseka.

“All flags in the country shall fly at half-mast on Monday” in memory of the victims of the accident, a decree signed by the president Paul Biya on Saturday declared.

#PrayForCameroun Day of National Mourning Monday. At least 75 dead, over 600 injured in train accident. pic.twitter.com/177U65VvMT

— Ismail Akwei (@akweiakwei) October 23, 2016

The Douala-Yaounde Highway broke away at Matomb on Friday morning after a two-day heavy rainfall.

Friends, whatever u'r doing STOP for a moment n pray for Cameroon🇨🇲
1. This morning, landslide cut off the all important Douala-Yaounde road pic.twitter.com/9yBqc0UJz4

— RFLX (@iamRIFLEX) October 21, 2016

Hours after the road’s collapse, the train which was overcrowded derailed killing people who wanted to use the rail alternative to travel from Yaounde to Douala.

Cameroon’s state media, CRTV, reported before the derailment the congestion at the railway stations in Yaounde and Douala as a result of the blockade of the road linking the cities.

Rescue operations continued throughout Saturday night and an access route linking the main stretch of road is reported to have been constructed on Saturday to ease traffic.

Rehabilitation of the road at Matomb on the Yaounde-Douala highway today. #Cameroon #Cameroun pic.twitter.com/ossfGm1Ue6

— CELLCOM (@prc_cellcom) October 21, 2016

Weh see #Cameroon… Pls PR_Paul_Biya if you'l come back pls use the #Douala - #Yaounde highway.. #manyai #Eseka #Camrail pic.twitter.com/M1z5Kg1oTg

— Kwiyuh Michael (KwiyuhM) October 22, 2016