The death toll from a tragic road accident in southern Ethiopia has risen to at least 71, according to local authorities. Chief Inspector Daniel Sankura of the Sidama Police Commission Traffic Prevention and Control Directorate confirmed that 68 men and 3 women were among the victims.
The incident occurred around 5:30 pm local time (14:30 GMT) when a vehicle plunged off a road and into a river in Sidama state, approximately 300 kilometers (180 miles) south of the capital, Addis Ababa, in the Eastern Zone of Bona Zuria Woreda.
The police commission also reported that two other individuals sustained serious injuries, but did not provide further details about the number of passengers onboard at the time of the crash.
Disturbing images shared by the local health bureau showed crowds surrounding the submerged vehicle, with people attempting to assist in retrieving it from the water. Additional photos revealed bodies, some covered with blue tarpaulin, lying on the ground.
Road accidents are unfortunately common in Ethiopia, where many roads remain in poor condition. The country, Africa’s second most populous, continues to face significant infrastructure challenges.
