YAOUNDE: At least 53 people have died and 21 others sustained injuries in a tanker-bus collision in Cameroon, international media outlets reported.

The incident occurred, after a speeding fuel-loaded truck ran into a 70-seat bus before bursting into a huge blaze that swallowed the vehicles and occupants in Santchou village in the west of the central African country.

Survivors were rushed to hospitals in the western towns of Dschang and Bafoussam, Awa Fonka Augustine.

‘A speeding truck illegally transporting fuel ran into the 70-seater bus transporting passengers from the coastal commercial city of Douala to Bafoussam, the capital of Cameroon’s West region,’ Augustine said.

‘A collision between the truck and the bus sparked swirling fire that ravaged the truck, the bus and its occupants.’

The truck driver, however, escaped unhurt after the crash and Augustine has called for his arrest.

Road accidents are common in Cameroon. The government blames reckless drivers and the poor state of vehicles, while drivers blame the bad conditions of the roads.

(With inputs from Agencies)