70 Killed in Road Accident in Ethiopia

At least 71 people have died in a devastating road accident in Ethiopia’s Sidama region after a truck carrying passengers plunged into a river.

Authorities confirmed that the victims included 68 men and three women, highlighting the scale of the tragedy.

The accident occurred in the Bona district, where a truck overloaded with passengers lost control on a winding road and fell into the river.

Some passengers were reportedly returning from a wedding celebration, and several families lost multiple members in the incident.

Regional government spokesperson Wosinileh Simeon stated that five individuals remain in critical condition and are receiving treatment at Bona General Hospital.

Preliminary investigations suggest the truck was carrying more weight than permitted, which likely contributed to the accident.

Local traffic authorities indicated that the winding roads in the area pose significant risks, further exacerbated by overloading.

The incident has left a deep impact on the community, with survivors and families of the victims struggling to cope with the aftermath.

Road accidents are a recurring issue in Ethiopia due to a combination of factors such as poorly maintained roads, overloading, and reckless driving.

In 2018, a similar tragedy claimed the lives of at least 38 people, mostly students, when a bus plunged into a ravine in the country’s northern highlands.