Official announcements from the Ethiopian government or relevant transportation authorities

Overloaded Truck with Wedding Guests Plunges into River in Ethiopia's Sidama Region, Killing 71

Dec 30, 2024, 09:53 AM

At least 71 people have died in southern Ethiopia after an overloaded Isuzu truck packed with passengers plunged into the Gelana River in the Sidama region, about 300 kilometers south of Addis Ababa. The accident occurred on Sunday when the vehicle missed a bridge and fell into the river in the Bona district. Many of the passengers, including students and wedding guests returning from a ceremony during the New Year's holiday, were on board the truck, which was reported to be over capacity. Local traffic police suggest that overloading may have contributed to the accident. The incident is one of the deadliest road accidents in Ethiopia in recent years, with the initial death toll reported at 60 before rising to 71.