At least 28 killed as truck overturns in Guinea

CONAKRY, June 7 (Reuters) At least 28 people were killed when a truck overloaded with goods and people overturned in Guinea on the way back from a weekly market, police in the West African country said today.

The accident happened late on Tuesday on the road between Kerouane and Beyla, around 900 km (560 miles) southeast of the capital Conakry. The remote location meant the emergency services had only just been informed, the police said.

''Once again it's mixed transport -- carrying goods and passengers - which caused this drama. People were crammed into a vehicle packed with baggage. The truck tipped over,'' police superintendent Abou Camara said.

Traffic accidents are frequent in the former French colony and across West Africa. Roads are poorly maintained and vehicles are often decrepit and overloaded with passengers and goods.

In March, 65 people were killed when a bridge collapsed under a truck packed with passengers and merchandise near Gueckedou, also in southeastern Guinea.

REUTERS GL RAI1900