Over 70 dead in Southern Ethiopia road accident

At least 71 people have died in a tragic road accident in southern Ethiopia after a truck plunged into a river in Sidama state. The Sidama Police Commission Traffic Prevention and Control Directorate confirmed the death toll, which includes 68 men and three women. The accident occurred around 5:30 p.m. local time on Sunday, approximately 300 kilometers (180 miles) south of Addis Ababa. According to Wossenyeleh Simon, an official from the regional communications department, the truck veered into the river while navigating a tight bend near a bridge. “The accident was especially horrific as the river contained large stones, causing fatal injuries to most passengers, including the driver,” Simon said. The truck was reportedly carrying 76 people, including wedding attendees and day laborers. Simon noted that the truck may have been overloaded due to a shortage of passenger vehicles operating that day. Images shared by the regional health bureau showed chaotic scenes, with crowds attempting to rescue passengers using ropes as the truck lay partially submerged in the river. Other images revealed bodies, some covered in blue tarpaulin, lying on the riverbank. Emergency responders from a nearby hospital quickly arrived at the scene to recover bodies and conduct rescue operations. Of the five survivors, two sustained serious injuries and are receiving treatment at Hawassa Referral Hospital, while three have been discharged but are experiencing psychological trauma. Authorities are investigating the cause of the accident, highlighting concerns about road safety and vehicle capacity in the region.