At least 18 people, including a newly married couple, have died in a fatal road accident in Katsina State, Nigeria.
The crash occurred when two commercial Volkswagen Golf vehicles travelling in opposite directions reportedly lost control and collided head-on.
One of the vehicles was conveying wedding guests from Dutsinma, while the other was transporting passengers from Kano.
The impact of the collision caused both vehicles to burst into flames, leaving several occupants trapped.
Sources say three passengers were severely burnt in the crash. Sixteen people were said to have died instantly at the scene, while others succumbed to their injuries later, bringing the death toll to 18.
Among those who lost their lives were the groom, his bride and several of their friends.
According to a friend of the groom, Zakari Haradu Aboro, the victims were travelling from Dutsinma to Kafin Soli shortly after the wedding fatiha when the accident happened.
Aboro, who shared his account of the incident, described receiving a distressing phone call moments after the group departed, informing him that the vehicle carrying the newlyweds and their entourage had been involved in the fatal crash.
The bodies of the deceased were transported to the General Hospital in Dutsinma.
