At least seven people have lost their lives and another 136 have been injured in 68 traffic accidents recorded in the hours leading up to the Grand Magal of Touba, the large religious pilgrimage that takes place in Senegal, according to the National Fire Corps of the African country.
In a press release disseminated and collected by the official Senegalese news agency APS, emergency services have specified that 85 urgent interventions related to the mass movements towards the holy city have been carried out. Among the deceased is the driver of a moped who was riding without a protective helmet.
With the arrival of hundreds of thousands of pilgrims to Touba, in the northwest of the country, authorities have issued an urgent call to exercise caution on the roads in order to avoid new fatal accidents.
The Fire Corps has asked drivers to strictly adhere to the traffic code, to refrain from making dangerous overtakes, and not to overload vehicles.
They have also emphasized the obligation to use seat belts and protective helmets for motorcycle and moped users.