At least 15 members of the Jehovah’s Witness congregation lost their lives yesterday evening in a tragic road accident at Awomama Bridge in Imo State.

The victims, who were returning from their annual assembly in Uli, Anambra State, were travelling in a commercial bus when it was struck by a trailer reportedly driving against traffic around 6.45pm.

Eyewitnesses said the impact was so severe that all the passengers in the bus died on the spot.

Confirming the incident, officials said the remains of the deceased have been deposited at a morgue in the state.

Chairman of Oguta Local Government Area, whose community lost several members in the crash, expressed shock and grief.

“This is a dark day for our people,” he said. “These were fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters who had just finished worship and fellowship. To lose them so suddenly is heartbreaking.”

Residents of the affected Agwa community in Oguta were thrown into mourning as families received news of the fatalities.

Community members gathered at homes of the deceased this morning, consoling relatives and lamenting the sudden loss.

Police authorities have yet to issue a detailed statement, but investigations into the cause of the crash are said to be ongoing.