At least 71 people have tragically lost their lives in southern Ethiopia following a devastating road accident, as reported by the Sidama regional government. The incident occurred when a truck carrying passengers plunged into a river in the Bona district, located approximately 300km south of the capital, Addis Ababa. The local authorities initially reported that 60 people had died, but this number soon rose as more bodies were recovered.

Regional spokesperson Wosenyeleh Simion confirmed that among the deceased, 68 were male and 3 were female. He noted that five other individuals are in critical condition and receiving treatment at Bona General Hospital. Many of the passengers were reportedly returning from a wedding ceremony, and some families have suffered multiple losses.

The truck reportedly missed a bridge and fell into the river due to the dangerous bends in the road combined with its overloading, which has been deemed a likely cause of the accident. The Sidama Police Commission is investigating the crash, as deadly traffic incidents have become a tragic norm in Ethiopia, where poor driving standards and vehicle maintenance contribute to frequent accidents.

The Sidama Regional Health Bureau shared disturbing images of bystanders attempting to rescue passengers from the submerged vehicle. Condolences were extended to the victims' families, with assurances of further updates to follow. In a similar incident in 2018, at least 38 individuals lost their lives when a bus plunged into a ravine in the north of Ethiopia.

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