By : Lloyd Mahachi
A devastating road accident has occurred in southern Ethiopia, resulting in the loss of at least 71 lives. The tragic incident involved a truck packed with passengers that plunged into a river in Sidama state, approximately 300 kilometers south of the capital city, Addis Ababa. The accident is a stark reminder of the dangers of road travel in Ethiopia, where roads are often poorly maintained and traffic laws are frequently disregarded.
According to regional authorities, the accident took place on Sunday at around 5:30 pm local time. The truck, which was reportedly overloaded, missed a bridge and fell into the river. Some of the passengers were returning from a wedding ceremony, and sadly, some families have lost multiple members. The exact circumstances surrounding the accident are still unclear, but it is believed that the truck was traveling at a high speed when it missed the bridge.
The Sidama Police Commission Traffic Prevention and Control Directorate confirmed that 68 males and three females are known to have died in the accident so far. Five people are in critical condition and are receiving treatment at Bona General Hospital. The regional communication bureau initially reported a death toll of 60 but later updated the figure to 71. The authorities are working to identify the victims and notify their families.
Images shared on social media by the Sidama Regional Health Bureau show a mass of people surrounding the partially submerged vehicle, with many attempting to help pull it from the waters. Other images appear to show bodies, some covered in blue tarpaulin, lying on the ground. The health bureau has expressed its condolences to the families of the victims and will share more information later. The images are a poignant reminder of the tragedy that has occurred and the need for improved road safety measures in Ethiopia.
Road accidents are common in Ethiopia, where roads are often poorly maintained. This incident is a stark reminder of the need for improved road safety measures in the country. In 2018, at least 38 people, mostly students, were killed when a bus plunged into a ravine in Ethiopia’s mountainous north. The country’s roads are often narrow and winding, with inadequate safety features such as guardrails and crash barriers.
The regional government has confirmed that the truck was overloaded, which likely caused the accident. The authorities are investigating the incident and will provide more details in due course. The tragic loss of life in this accident is a sobering reminder of the importance of road safety and the need for vigilance on the roads. The government has pledged to take steps to improve road safety, including increasing the number of traffic police and improving road infrastructure.
The accident has sent shockwaves throughout the community, with many people taking to social media to express their condolences and outrage. The incident has also raised questions about the safety of public transportation in Ethiopia and the need for stricter regulations to prevent such accidents from occurring in the future. As the investigation into the accident continues, the people of Ethiopia are left to mourn the loss of life and to wonder how such a tragedy could have occurred.
In the aftermath of the accident, the regional government has announced plans to provide support to the families of the victims. The government has pledged to provide financial assistance and counseling to those affected by the tragedy. The support is a welcome gesture, but it will do little to ease the pain and suffering of those who have lost loved ones.
As the people of Ethiopia come to terms with the tragedy, they are also calling for action to prevent such accidents from occurring in the future. The accident is a wake-up call for the government and the people of Ethiopia to take road safety seriously and to take concrete steps to improve the safety of the country’s roads. Only through concerted effort and a commitment to safety can such tragedies be prevented in the future.
Editor : Josephine Mahachi