5 dead in 75 road accidents ahead of annual pilgrimage in central Senegal

DAKAR, Aug. 11 (Xinhua) -- Five people died in 75 road accidents en route to the central Senegalese city of Touba in the past few days as the city prepares to host the Magal pilgrimage, a significant religious gathering, authorities said Monday.

The country's National Fire Brigade "carried out a total of 120 interventions, including 75 road traffic accidents that left 170 victims, among them five fatalities," said Yatma Dieye, the head of the brigade's public relations.

With two days remaining before the Magal, Dieye urged strict compliance with traffic regulations. He called on pedestrians to use safe crossing points and advised drivers and passengers to wear seat belts.

Drivers should also avoid speeding, overloading, illegal overtaking, and unsafe departures from the road, he said. ■