Camrail debunks rumour that train killed 5 in Yaounde

The national railway company, CAMRAIL, has debunked social media relays of 5 deaths at the Ahala-Yaounde axis on September 5 2022.

Going by their release, a Toyota vehicle was crushed by a train and no one died as the driver of the vehicle escaped. The driver (a lady) reportedly forced her way into the railroad crossing despite alerts from security agents of the arrival of a train. The vehicle got stuck on the rails but the lady was able to save her life on time.

Though no one died, officials of Camrail say such uncivic acts are recurrent on the rails as vehicle owners and bike riders always rush to cross before the passing of trains despite warnings. In March 2021, 3 persons, all women, died under same conditions in the Centre region while in May same year, four persons were rescued and one other died as they forced their way through the rail at the sight of an incoming train.

However, some road users have criticised the old railroad crossing boards which are no longer functional. The crossing boards were renovated costing over F CFA600 million in 2019 by Camrail officials to limit the forceful crossing by drivers but much still needs to be done.