Convoy of Southeast Sulawesi provincial government officials involved in accident en route to Baubau

Kendari (ANTARA) – A convoy of vehicles carrying officials from the Southeast Sulawesi Provincial Government (Pemprov Sultra) suffered a traffic accident while travelling to the city of Baubau on Thursday.

The Head of the Southeast Sulawesi Tourism Office, Ridwan Badallah, when contacted from Kendari on Thursday, confirmed the incident. He said the accident occurred as they were on their way to attend a Ramadan Safari programme in Baubau that evening.

Ridwan Badallah explained that their vehicle was travelling in tandem with the vehicle carrying the Head of the Library and Archives Service of Southeast Sulawesi, when the collision occurred.

“Yes, that’s correct, the official car of the Head of the Library and Archives Service was struck by a truck coming from the opposite direction, causing us in the back to be affected,” Ridwan Badallah said.

He stated that due to the heavy impact with the truck, the Head of the Library and Archives Service of Southeast Sulawesi, Usnia, sustained a broken hand.

Meanwhile, the driver of the official vehicle sustained serious injuries and was immediately taken to the nearest hospital for medical treatment.

Regarding his personal condition, Ridwan Badallah stated that he and the driver were safe and not injured.

“As for me and my driver, Alhamdulillah we are fine,” Ridwan Badallah said.

Based on a video received by ANTARA, two cars involved in the crash were seen with their fronts crumpled.

One of the vehicles was a Mitsubishi with the registration number DT 47, while the other vehicle could not be identified due to the severe damage to its front.

It was also seen that one of the casualties was carried into a vehicle to be rushed to hospital by bystanders who witnessed the incident.