At least 71 dead in road accident in Ethiopia

At least 71 dead in road accident in Ethiopia

Addis Ababa, Reuters - At least 71 people have died in a tragic road accident in Ethiopia after a vehicle overloaded with passengers plunged into a river, a spokesman for the Sidama regional government said.

Details about the accident

The accident occurred in the Bona district, the region's communications office announced in a statement on Sunday evening. Wosenyeleh Simion, spokesman for the Sidama regional government, confirmed to Reuters on Monday that at least 71 people, including 68 men and three women, had died.

Critical condition of survivors

“Five people are in critical condition and are currently receiving treatment at Bona General Hospital,” Simion said. He added that the vehicle missed a bridge and fell into the river while the road had many curves.

Background of the trip

Some of the passengers were traveling from a wedding party, and some families lost several relatives. Simion noted that traffic police in the area reported that the truck was overloaded, which likely contributed to the accident.

State media reporting

Ethiopian state radio also reported that the passengers were on their way to a wedding when the accident happened on Sunday. A statement from the regional communications office initially announced a death toll of 60.

Problem of traffic accidents in Ethiopia

Fatal road accidents are common in Ethiopia because driving standards are often low and many vehicles are in poor condition. For example, in 2018, at least 38 people, mostly students, died when a bus plunged into a ravine in Ethiopia's mountainous north.