The quiet Saturday afternoon in Rubavu was shattered by the screech of metal and the sudden, terrifying silence that follows a catastrophe. What began as a routine journey for many ended in a tragedy that has left the border town in mourning, following a brake failure that claimed 11 lives near Gisenyi Hospital.
At approximately 2:00 PM in Nyaburanga Village, the heavy hum of a Mercedes-Benz cargo truck (KBH 185 Y) turned into a roar of mechanical failure. The driver, 60-year-old Kenyan national Dida Suleiman, reportedly realized the brakes had given out as the vehicle descended toward the bustling Gisenyi Sector.
The sequence of events unfolded with devastating speed:
- Initial Impact: The truck first struck a motorcycle. Both the operator and the passenger were killed instantly.
- The Pedestrian: In the chaos, a pedestrian was also hit and died on the spot.
- The Final Collision: Unable to stop, the truck plowed into a taxi. Inside were eight congregants who had just finished their Saturday worship services and were traveling home to Rugerero Sector.
Amidst the mangled steel of the taxi, where eight adults perished, first responders and witnesses discovered a glimmer of hope. A small child was pulled alive from the wreckage. While the child is currently receiving medical attention, the loss of the other occupants—friends and family returning from church—has cast a heavy shadow over the Rugerero community. The driver of the truck, Dida Suleiman, also survived the crash and is being treated for his injuries.
Western Province Police Spokesperson, SP Sylvestre Twajamahoro, arrived at the scene to oversee the initial recovery efforts. He issued a stern reminder to the public regarding the high stakes of road safety.
“We urge all road users to remain vigilant. Mechanical maintenance is not optional; avoiding overspeeding and adhering to traffic laws are the only ways to prevent these senseless losses of life.”
Key Details of the Incident
| Category | Details |
| Location | Nyaburanga Village, Gisenyi, Rubavu |
| Total Fatalities | 11 (8 in taxi, 2 on moto, 1 pedestrian) |
| Cause | Mechanical failure (Brakes) |
| Vehicle Involved | Mercedes-Benz Cargo Truck (KBH 185 Y) |
As of Sunday morning, investigations are ongoing to determine if the mechanical failure was due to lack of maintenance or a sudden, unforeseen fault. Meanwhile, the Rubavu district authorities are working with families to coordinate the final arrangements for the victims.
