At least 22 people, including 17 soldiers, were killed and 37 others injured after two buses collided head-on in southern Niger, authorities said on Saturday.

The fatal accident occurred on Friday night about 50 kilometres (35 miles) from the town of Madaoua, according to Niger's Transport Ministry. The two buses collided directly, leaving several passengers dead and injured.

The state-run ANP news agency reported earlier that one of the buses was carrying soldiers. Authorities have opened an investigation to determine the circumstances that led to the crash.

22 People Killed in Crash

The Transport Ministry confirmed that the death toll had reached 22, with 17 members of the military among those killed. Another 37 people sustained injuries in the collision.

Details about the identities of the victims and the severity of the injuries were not immediately available.

The crash occurred at night on a road in southern Niger, adding to concerns over road safety in a country where serious traffic accidents remain a recurring problem.

Investigation Underway

Authorities have launched an investigation into the accident. Officials are expected to examine the condition of the vehicles, road conditions and the circumstances immediately before the two buses collided.

The authorities have not yet announced a specific cause for the crash.

The involvement of a bus carrying soldiers has also drawn attention to the scale of the accident, although there was no immediate indication that the collision was linked to any security-related incident.

Niger Faces Road Safety Challenges

The latest accident has once again highlighted Niger's wider road safety concerns.

According to figures from the Nigerien Agency for Road Safety, more than 7,000 road accidents were recorded across the country in 2025. Those crashes resulted in more than 1,200 deaths and over 4,400 serious injuries.

Road safety officials have identified several factors behind the country's high number of traffic accidents.

Speeding Among Major Causes

Authorities have previously pointed to speeding, drink-driving and poor road conditions among the major causes of accidents in Niger.

The condition of vehicles has also been identified as a contributing factor, particularly on routes where long-distance buses and other commercial vehicles operate regularly.

The latest collision is likely to renew calls for stronger enforcement of traffic rules and improved road infrastructure.

Authorities Focus on Safety

Nigerian authorities have continued road safety awareness campaigns aimed at reducing accidents and encouraging safer driving practices.

However, the frequency of serious crashes remains a concern, particularly on major roads connecting towns and regions.

The investigation into Friday night's collision is expected to establish how the two buses came onto a collision course and whether any violations or mechanical problems contributed to the accident.

The authorities have not yet released further details about the investigation or announced whether any action has been taken against the operators of the two buses.