Tragic road accident in Southern Ethiopia claims 71 lives

A devastating road accident in southern Ethiopia has resulted in the deaths of at least 71 people, including 68 men and three women, local authorities confirmed.

The Sidama Police Commission Traffic Prevention and Control Directorate disclosed the tragic toll in a Facebook post on December 29, citing Chief Inspector Daniel Sankura, Caliber.Az reports citing Turkish media.

The incident occurred around 5:30 pm local time (1430 GMT) when a vehicle veered off the road and plunged into a river in Sidama state, located approximately 300 kilometers (180 miles) south of the capital, Addis Ababa.

Two individuals sustained serious injuries, although details regarding the number of passengers aboard the vehicle remain unclear. The accident took place in the Eastern Zone of Sidama state, specifically in Bona Zuria Woreda.

Images shared by the local health bureau showed the aftermath, with bystanders attempting to recover the vehicle from the river. Other images depicted the bodies of the victims, some covered in blue tarpaulins, lying on the ground near the accident site.

Ethiopia, the second-most populous country in Africa, frequently faces road accidents due to poorly maintained roads and safety deficiencies. This tragedy highlights the urgent need for improved infrastructure and stronger road safety measures across the nation.

By Vafa Guliyeva