No fewer than eight people have died after a vehicle rammed into shops at Ugep in Yakurr Council Area of Cross River State.

According to reports, the incident occurred on the weekly market day, when a black Toyota Camry rammed into shops at Ediba junction. Three persons were said to have died on the spot while the other five died in the hospital.

“A black Toyota vehicle descended from the Ediba junction into the market, entered into people’s shops and destroyed property and injuring about 11 persons,” The Guardian quoted an eyewitness, Patrick Ofem, as saying.

“Three of them died instantly, while the others were rushed to the hospital.”

“While in the hospital, five persons later died, raising the death toll to eight. The Ugep people cried sore, as they lamented the calamity, which befalls them in the New Year.”

Confirming Ofem statement, another eyewitness, Obasesam Ikpi, said: “ a lady and two guys died on the spot, while the other five died in the hospital after they were rushed to the hospital for medical attention.”

He described the incident as a tragic and unforgettable day for the people of Ugep.

However, the cause of the vehicle’s diversion could not be ascertained, as the driver was in a coma as at the time of filing this report.

When contacted, Paramount Ruler of Yakurr and Obol Lopol of Ugep, HRM Obol Ofem Ubana Eteng, however, said that only two persons died on the spot, while over seven persons sustained serious injuries and were rushed to a nearby hospital.

“Two persons were reported dead and over seven sustained various degrees of injuries. I am going to the hospital to check on those that sustained injuries and ascertain as number of those that died,” he explained.