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Tragic Truck Accident in Ethiopia Claims 71 Lives Amid Road Safety Concerns
Devastating accident in Sidama, Ethiopia: A truck carrying wedding attendees and laborers plunged into a river, killing 71 people. Africa’s road safety crisis demands urgent attention.
ND
by News Desk
2024-12-30
Tragic Truck Accident in Ethiopia Claims 71 Lives Amid Road Safety Concerns

Sidama, Ethiopia – In a devastating accident on Sunday, a truck plunged into a river in Sidama state, approximately 300 kilometers south of the capital Addis Ababa, killing 71 people and leaving five others injured.

The Sidama Police Commission Traffic Prevention and Control Directorate confirmed the fatalities, which included 68 men and three women. According to Wossenyeleh Simon, an official with the regional communications department, the truck was carrying 76 people, including individuals traveling to a wedding and day laborers.

“The river had large stones, and most passengers, including the driver, were killed due to the impact,” Simon said. Among the deceased were four members of the same family.

The driver reportedly lost control of the overloaded truck while attempting to navigate a tight bend near a bridge. “It was possible the truck exceeded its capacity as there were few passenger vehicles operating that day,” Simon added.

Images shared by the health bureau showed the truck partially submerged in the river as rescue teams worked to retrieve bodies and search for survivors. Five individuals survived, with two in critical condition at Hawassa Referral Hospital and three discharged but suffering psychological trauma.

Africa’s Road Safety Challenge

Road accidents are a persistent issue in Ethiopia, where poorly maintained infrastructure contributes to frequent tragedies. Earlier this year, a bus accident in southern Ethiopia's Wolaita region claimed 28 lives, while 18 civilians died in 2018 when an army truck collided with a minibus.

According to a World Health Organization (WHO) report, Africa, with just 4% of the world’s vehicles, accounted for 19% of global road fatalities in 2023. The continent remains the only region where road deaths increased by 17% between 2010 and 2021.

Urgent interventions, including improved road infrastructure, stricter regulations, and enhanced rescue services, are essential to curb the rising toll of road accidents in Ethiopia and across Africa.
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