Tragic bus crash in Madagascar claims the lives of four Scouts

On 2 August 2017, 38 Scouts from the Tily Eto Madagasikara National Scout Association (NSA) met with an accident while travelling to join over 2,000 other Scouts at a National Scout Camp under the Messengers of Peace Project that is supported by the World Scout Foundation (WSF).

Four Scouts lost their lives and 34 others were hospitalised in the unfortunate incident, which occurred about 200 kilometres from the capital in Antananarivo.

The World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM) and the WSF are deeply saddened with the news. On behalf of all Scouts and supporters of Scouting around the world, we wish to send our sincere condolences to the families, relatives and friends of the Scouts and all the over 101 other passengers who were in the same bus when the accident occurred, including 66 other young people.

Our thoughts and prayers also go out to the entire Scouting fraternity and the people of Madagascar during this very sad moment.

WOSM and the WSF will continue to monitor the situation and are working with the NSA to mobilise support for the victims and their families.

We honour these young people, some of whom have paid the ultimate price on the World Scarf Day (1 August) while in pursuit of a better and peaceful world — a cause very central to Scouting’s existence.