NAIROBI, Kenya — At least 71 people were killed when a truck carrying a wedding party plunged into a river in southern Ethiopia, authorities confirmed on Monday.
The accident occurred Sunday evening around 5:30 PM local time in Sidama state, approximately 300 kilometers (180 miles) south of Addis Ababa. The Sidama Police Commission reported that 68 men and three women lost their lives.
Wossenyeleh Simon, a regional communications official, described the crash as particularly devastating.
“The river had many large stones, causing most passengers, including the driver, to die on impact,” he said, adding that four members of a single family were among the victims.
The truck, designed for freight, was reportedly overloaded with 76 people, including wedding attendees and day laborers. It veered off a sharp bend near a bridge, Simon noted.
“The scarcity of passenger vehicles that day may have led to the truck carrying people beyond its capacity,” he added.
Images shared by local authorities depicted the truck partially submerged in the river, with rescuers using ropes to retrieve it.
Other photos showed bodies laid on the ground, some covered in tarpaulins.
Rescue operations were launched immediately, with hospital staff aiding in recovering bodies and searching for survivors.
Of the five survivors, two remain hospitalized with severe injuries at Hawassa Referral Hospital, while three have been discharged but are suffering from psychological trauma.
PATTERN OF ROAD TRAGEDIES
Road accidents are a frequent hazard in Ethiopia, where infrastructure is often poorly maintained.
Earlier this year, a bus crash in Wolaita killed at least 28 people. In 2018, an army truck collision claimed 18 lives in the country’s north.
Ethiopia is not alone in facing such tragedies. Across Africa, poorly maintained roads, aging vehicles, and limited emergency response systems contribute to a disproportionate number of road fatalities.
According to the World Health Organization, Africa accounted for 19% of global road deaths in 2021 despite having just 4% of the world’s vehicles.
Road fatalities on the continent increased by 17% between 2010 and 2021, making it the only region where such deaths are on the rise.