A tragic accident in southern Ethiopia claimed the lives of at least 66 people and left several others injured when an overcrowded truck plunged into a river.
The incident occurred on Sunday when an old truck, hired to transport wedding guests, fell off the Gelen Bridge in the Sidama region. Villagers reported that traffic accidents in the area are not uncommon.
Lemma Lagide, medical director of Bona General Hospital, confirmed that 64 people died at the scene, while two more succumbed to their injuries at the hospital. Some critically injured patients were transferred to a larger hospital in Hawassa for advanced medical care.
Rescue efforts were hampered by the remote location, contributing to the high number of casualties. Local residents attempted to pull victims from the river using sticks, as they lacked proper rescue equipment.
Witnesses described a joyful scene just before the crash, with music playing and people dancing on the truck. Renting trucks for social events like weddings is common in rural Ethiopia, as they are more affordable and can carry large groups of people. Most of the victims were men, culturally tasked with transporting the bride from her home to the groom’s house.
Resident Fasil Atara noted that accidents frequently occur near the river due to poorly constructed roads, including uneven surfaces and inadequate warning signs.
This tragedy highlights ongoing issues with Ethiopia’s aging infrastructure and overcrowded public transport. In a similar incident in August, 38 people were killed when a bus overturned in the Amhara region.