A hippo collision caused a wreck on the ivory coast, leading to the disappearance of at least 11 people. The incident was confirmed on Saturday by the minister of national cohesion, solidarity and fight against poverty, Myss Belmonde Dogo.
“With deep sadness, we learn of the disappearance of 11 people, including women, children and a baby, after the embargo of a vessel caused by a hippo,” said the minister on social networks.
Of the 14 occupants of the vessel, three survived and the search is kept to find the missing.
“Dismissed by this tragedy, which has deeply affected us, the Government of Ivory Coast shares the pain of parents and loved ones of missing persons and expresses their solidarity with the survivors,” added the minister.
A 2022 study by researchers from that country says that the hippo is the animal that causes the most damage and accidents to humans on the Ivory Coast.
The hippos’ population is estimated in about 500 individuals, distributed in rivers in the south, such as Sassandra and Bandama, where conflicts with the local population are a growing concern.
