By Makur Adut

At least two people lost their lives in separate road accidents in Lakes State on Thursday, according to the State Directorate of Traffic.

The victims have been identified as a young girl, Achol Arop Mapuor, and a 40-year-old man, Makur Dharuai Yor. Both incidents occurred in Rumbek East County.

Col. Daniel Majuec Mayek, the Director of Traffic Police in Lakes State, confirmed the fatalities and said that investigations are currently underway to determine the exact causes of the accidents.

“A convoy of vehicles was traveling from Wau to Juba when one of them struck a young girl, identified as Achol Arop Mapuor, who was riding a bicycle. Tragically, she died on the spot,” Col. Daniel explained.

He added that the driver involved in the incident is in police custody and is being investigated.

In a separate incident in the same county, a man identified as Makur Dharuai Yor reportedly lost control of his motorcycle and fell into a water-filled pit, leading to his death. The circumstances surrounding the accident are still unclear.

The Traffic Directorate has expressed concern over the rising number of road-related fatalities and is urging drivers and road users to exercise greater caution.

These tragic incidents highlight the urgent need for improved road safety measures, better signage, and maintenance of public infrastructure. Many parts of the country, particularly rural counties like Rumbek East, face challenges such as poorly maintained roads, lack of street lighting, and inadequate pedestrian and cyclist protections—all of which increase the risk of fatal accidents.

Authorities are calling on the public to adhere to traffic regulations and on local governments to prioritize infrastructure development to help prevent similar tragedies in the future.