–eight passengers escape unhurt

EIGHT passengers narrowly escaped a tragedy on Friday when the minibus they were travelling in became engulfed in flames in St Ignatius Village, Region Nine.

According to a police report, the persons in the minibus included six adults, two children and the driver of the vehicle who has been identified as 30-year-old Benedict Lino.

Police indicated that about 14:00hrs on Friday, the passengers, who were returning to Baitoon village after conducting business in Lethem, boarded the minibus and made a stop in the vicinity of St Ignatius Village at the request of one of the passengers.

It is alleged that as the driver was about to leave, he heard sparking sounds from under the bus and immediately told everyone to exit. In the haste, the passengers left all of their belongings in the minibus which suddenly became engulfed in flames and was completely destroyed within a matter of minutes.

The minibus was purchased three months ago by the Baitoon Village Council from its previous owner; a man whose only name given was Shawn.

It is alleged that during the month of November 2021, the vehicle developed mechanical problems which were quickly remedied. The RZ minibus is allegedly valued at $2.3M and the loss of personal items is estimated at $514,680.