Rescue operations in western Cameroon have recovered 12 bodies after devastating landslides struck a key road in the Ouest region, leaving officials with little hope of finding any survivors. Augustine Awa Fonka, governor of the region, confirmed the grim update in an interview with state broadcaster CRTV, stating that “there is no longer any chance of locating survivors.”
The bodies were retrieved from the site of the disaster, with the last recovery made on Saturday morning. Despite the recovery efforts, the search for additional victims continues as dozens remain missing.
The landslides occurred on Tuesday along the Dschang cliff road, a notorious route vulnerable to such disasters. The second landslide struck while emergency responders were at the scene, working to clear debris with heavy machinery. Among the vehicles affected were three coaches, five six-seater cars, and multiple motorcycles, authorities said.
Cameroon’s road network is infamous for its danger, with nearly 3,000 fatalities annually due to traffic accidents. According to the latest World Health Organization data from 2023, the country records over 10 deaths per 100,000 people.
The tragic incident follows a similar accident earlier in September when a tractor-trailer carrying passengers plunged off a cliff near Dschang, killing eight people and injuring 62 others, including eight children.