‘Drunk driver’ ploughs car into a carnival crowd in Nigeria, killing at least 14 revellers

At least 14 people have died and 29 injured after an out-of-control car ploughed into a crowd of people during a popular carnival in Nigeria.

A driver is understood to have lost control of the car on a packed street in the southern city of Calabar, the capital of Cross River state, just as people were gathering to watch a bikers’ parade at the Calabar carnival.

Pictures shared online following the horror incident showed bodies strewn across the street.

The bikers show is one of the main highlights of the carnival, which in itself is known as one of Africa’s biggest street parties. The annual event has regularly drawn people from across Nigeria and beyond since it began nearly in 2004.

A driver is understood to have lost control of the car on a packed street in the southern city of Calabar

At least 14 people have died and 29 injured after the driver is said to have lost control of his vehicle

But Maikano Hassan, the local commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, said: ‘The incident occurred when a Toyota Camry car lost control and rammed into (a) crowd of onlookers.’

He added that the car was traveling at high speed when it ran through security controls. 

Three girls and two boys are understood to be among those injured in the crash. 

Cross River governor Ben Ayade ordered the parade cancelled and the driver placed under arrest, according to Christian Ita, his spokesman. 

Mr Ita said the governor has extended his sympathies to the victims and their families and ordered an immediate investigation into how the crash occurred. 

He also ordered police to investigate how the driver was able to enter an area that was supposed to have been closed off for the carnival.

Scenes of panic as thousands try to flee following the horror incident at the popular carnival in Calabar

The bikers show is one of the main highlights of the carnival, which in itself is known as one of Africa’s biggest street parties

Pictures and video footage from the scene showed scores of people assisting the injured following the incident

The father of a 15-year-old boy who injured during incident told the BBC that the car was being driven ‘recklessly’.

Masa Kutama said: ‘The driver had been swerving from left to right and then when he got to where the crowd stood, he started spraying money on the road. The crowd rushed to pick up the money, which is when the ugly incident took place.

His son survived the incident, but has been left with scratches to his face and cuts to his thigh.

Mr Kutama added: ‘We were at the navy hospital last night – they treated him and gave us some drugs, later discharging him. He is currently at home healthy and good.’