The death toll from a tragic road accident in southern Ethiopia has risen to at least 71, according to local authorities. The accident, which took place on Sunday evening, has become one of the deadliest road incidents in the country in recent times. The Sidama Police Commission Traffic Prevention and Control Directorate confirmed the grim news, stating that 68 males and three females were among the victims. The accident occurred around 5:30 p.m. local time (1430 GMT) when a vehicle plunged off a road and into a river in Sidama state, situated approximately 300 kilometers (180 miles) south of the capital, Addis Ababa.
Chief Inspector Daniel Sankura of the Sidama Police provided the update, noting that two additional individuals had sustained serious injuries but were still alive. However, the police commission did not disclose the exact number of passengers aboard the vehicle at the time of the crash. The authorities also refrained from revealing further details about the nature of the injuries sustained by the survivors or the specific cause of the accident.
The incident took place in the Eastern Zone of Sidama, within the Bona Zuria Woreda. In the aftermath of the crash, blurred images shared by the health bureau showed a large crowd of people attempting to assist with the rescue efforts. Many onlookers could be seen pulling the vehicle from the river, while others were visibly distressed. Disturbing images also surfaced, showing the bodies of the victims, some covered in blue tarpaulins, lying on the ground as the scale of the tragedy began to unfold.
This devastating accident highlights the significant challenges faced by Ethiopia, where road accidents have become a frequent and serious problem. The country has a history of poorly maintained roads, a lack of proper traffic regulations, and often inadequate emergency response systems, contributing to the high number of fatalities on the nation’s roads. In many rural areas, such as Sidama, these issues are compounded by a lack of effective infrastructure and road safety measures.
Despite these ongoing challenges, authorities have yet to provide a clear explanation for the cause of this particular crash. The exact details of the incident will likely emerge in the coming days as investigations continue. For now, the focus remains on recovery efforts, with local residents and authorities working to recover the bodies and provide assistance to the injured.
Ethiopia, Africa’s second-most populous nation, has long grappled with road safety concerns, and this latest tragedy underscores the urgent need for reforms to prevent such catastrophic accidents in the future.
