Twelve people have lost their lives, and 44 others have sustained injuries in a tragic three-vehicle road traffic accident at Konongo Anglican Basic School in the Ashanti Region.

The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) confirmed the incident, which occurred in the early hours of Thursday, July 16, 2026.

According to preliminary investigations, the crash involved a Tata passenger bus, a DAF cargo truck loaded with tomatoes, and an empty fuel tanker. The DAF truck, travelling from Kumasi towards Accra, attempted to overtake another vehicle while ascending a slope. The driver reportedly lost control, leading to a violent head-on collision with the Tata passenger bus heading from Accra to Bole.

The empty fuel tanker later ran into the accident scene, though authorities say it did not significantly contribute to the casualties. The impact was severe, claiming the lives of nine males and three females. Of the 44 injured persons, 30 suffered critical injuries and required urgent medical attention.

Emergency responders from the GNFS and other agencies promptly arrived at the scene. They carried out intense rescue operations, successfully extricating victims trapped in the wreckage. The injured were swiftly transported to nearby facilities: 32 casualties were taken to the Asante Akyem Government Hospital, while 12 were admitted to Steward Hospital.

The GNFS also secured the accident site to ensure the safe evacuation of all casualties and facilitate the quick restoration of traffic flow along the busy route.

This latest road tragedy underscores the persistent dangers of reckless overtaking, especially on sloping sections of Ghana’s highways. Authorities have urged drivers to exercise greater caution, particularly during early morning hours when visibility and fatigue can increase risks. Investigations into the exact cause of the crash are ongoing.