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A horrific truck accident in southern Ethiopia over the weekend claimed the lives of at least 71 people when the vehicle plunged into a river. The incident occurred on Sunday evening in the Bona district of Sidama state, about 300 km south of the capital, Addis Ababa.
Overloaded Truck Falls into River
According to the Sidama regional communication bureau, the truck was carrying passengers, some of whom were returning from a wedding ceremony. The accident occurred after the truck missed a bridge on a winding road, falling into the river below. Wosenyeleh Simion, a spokesperson for the Sidama regional government, confirmed that five passengers were critically injured and receiving medical treatment. Tragically, among the deceased were at least three women, and some families reportedly lost multiple members in the accident.
Poor Driving Conditions and Overloading
Police reports suggest that the truck was overloaded, which is believed to have contributed to the tragic accident. Overloading is a common issue in Ethiopia, where many vehicles are in poor condition and driving standards are often subpar. Traffic accidents, especially fatal ones, are unfortunately common in the country.
The images shared by the Sidama Regional Health Bureau on social media showed people gathered around the accident site, attempting to retrieve the vehicle with the help of ropes. One disturbing image showed the bodies of the victims covered with blue tarpaulins.
A Pattern of Fatal Accidents
This deadly incident adds to a long history of fatal traffic accidents in Ethiopia. In 2018, a similar tragedy occurred when a bus plunged into a ravine, killing at least 38 people, mostly students, in the country’s mountainous north.
As the investigation continues, the community and authorities are left grappling with the devastating loss of so many lives in a single accident.
