Eyewitnesses say the tragedy unfolded at about 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 26, 2026, when a provisional structure installed to maintain pedestrian movement during works under the Bamenda Urban Crossing Project gave way under intense rainfall. The incident occurred in Bamenda III Subdivision, in what authorities describe as a known high-risk flood zone.
In a press release, the Senior Divisional Officer, SDO for Mezam, Simon Emile Mooh, confirmed that “the incident, which was caused by heavy rainfall in the city of Bamenda, unfortunately resulted in the loss of four lives and five other persons rescued.” He added that the injured were taken to the Baptist Hospital Annex, where they are “receiving appropriate medical attention and are out of danger.”
At the municipal level, the Mayor of Bamenda III Council, Fongu Cletus Tanwe, described the incident as a moment of collective grief and caution for residents.
“It’s a sad day for us in the Bamenda III Municipality,” he said.
“The Mayor of the Bamenda III Council extends heartfelt condolence to the families affected by the flood at the Mile Two Bridge, Nkwen. May you find strength and support during this tough time. May God continue to guide and protect us all. May we all be mindful and conscious of the danger around the construction area of the bridge and avoid movements during this wet season.”
Rescue operations, led by the Army Rescue Unit with the support of local residents, were hampered by darkness and difficult terrain. Senior Warrant Officer Taku Paul recounted the urgency and constraints faced by his team.
“We received a phone call yesterday evening that at the neighbourhood Family Pharmacy, people wanted to cross the bridge and they fell into the water,” he said adding “Immediately we rushed there. It was already getting dark. We could not do much because of the visibility.”
He explained that operations resumed at first light on Friday, with teams deployed across different sections of the affected stream.
“Some started from the Family Pharmacy right down to below Foncha, another group from below Foncha right to Tanker. With the help of the population, we were able to find three corpses… it is not easy at all because where the bodies were found is a very swampy area and accessibility is difficult.”
By press time, authorities confirmed that all four bodies had been recovered downstream in the Mulang neighbourhood, indicating the force of the floodwaters that swept victims away.
A technical report from the Regional Delegate of Public Works for the North West, Nfor Cyprian, attributes the collapse to “heavy rainfall that triggered a sudden and high-volume river flow… leading to the failure of the temporary wooden structure constructed to facilitate pedestrian movement during ongoing culvert works.”
The report notes that the incident occurred within the framework of the major road rehabilitation programme covering over six kilometres of Bamenda’s urban corridor.
The Governor of the North West Region visited the site shortly after the incident and ordered the immediate restoration of pedestrian access under improved safety conditions. Authorities say the area has since been secured while engineers review options for a more robust temporary crossing.
The construction company working in the area, acknowledged the scale of the tragedy in a statement issued by its Managing Director, though notably with a name. The absence of a named signatory, while not uncommon in crisis communications, signals an institutional rather than personal assumption of responsibility at a time of heightened public scrutiny.
“It is with deep sorrow and profound compassion that we address the tragic incident,” the statement read, adding that the temporary crossing was “overwhelmed by the force of the flow” following “exceptionally heavy rains.”
The company has pledged immediate corrective actions, including reinforcing all temporary crossings, conducting a comprehensive technical review, and strengthening monitoring and emergency response systems.
“We fully understand the emotion, concern and questions that this tragedy has raised… this incident compels us to go further,” the statement added, while reaffirming commitment to transparency and cooperation with authorities.
Beyond the immediate loss, the incident has revived concerns about construction safety protocols in densely populated urban areas, particularly during the rainy season. Temporary bridges and pedestrian diversions, often made of wood or light materials, have been widely used across the said project in Bamenda, yet experts warn that such installations must be designed to withstand peak hydrological stress.
Temporary pedestrian bridge before collapseStandard engineering practice requires that provisional crossings in high-traffic or flood-prone zones be elevated above expected water levels, anchored securely, and regularly inspected, especially during periods of sustained rainfall. Clear signage, restricted access during storms, and the presence of safety marshals are also considered essential.
Urban disaster response capacity is equally critical. Rapid alert systems, coordinated rescue units, and community awareness can significantly reduce casualties when infrastructure fails. In Bamenda, the swift mobilisation of both the Army Rescue Unit and local residents was instrumental in locating victims, but the challenges encountered point to the need for better-equipped and more anticipatory response mechanisms.
As the rainy season intensifies, authorities are urging vigilance.
“The population is urged to remain calm and vigilant… and to strictly respect all safety measures put in place by authorities and contractors around construction sites,” the SDO stated.
By Bakah Derick for Hilltopvoices Web
Tel: +237 694 71 85 77