A joyous wedding celebration turned into a devastating tragedy in Zamfara State, Nigeria, when a vehicle carrying a bride and her family members plunged into a river following the collapse of the Gwalli Bridge in the Fass community, Gummi Local Government Area.
The accident occurred at approximately 4:45 PM on Saturday, September 13, 2025. At least 19 people, including men, women, and children, were confirmed dead. All the victims were relatives of the late Sheikh Dauda Fass, a former member of the State House of Assembly.
“My newlywed sister was being taken to her husband’s home in Jega when the vehicle fell off the bridge into the water. We pulled 19 bodies from the river,”
— Babangida Halifa Ibrahim Fass, a local resident
A Bridge in Neglect
The Gwalli Bridge, a crucial route for several communities, had been in a state of disrepair for years. Though it was rehabilitated during former Governor Abdulazeez Yari’s administration, it was significantly damaged by erosion about seven years ago. Earlier this year, residents tried to sand-fill the damage themselves, but their efforts were ultimately unsuccessful.
Community Appeals for Action
Local leaders have called the deaths preventable, urging state and federal authorities to support affected families and rebuild the bridge.
“This is more than just a Gwalli issue — it affects the entire Bardoki ward. We are pleading with authorities to take immediate action before more lives are lost,”
— Community spokesperson
Source: MyNewsGh.com
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