At least 19 people have lost their lives after a boat capsized on the Tekeze River in Ethiopia’s northwestern Amhara region on Saturday, according to a report by the state-run Ethiopian Press Agency (EPA) on Sunday.
The tragic incident occurred as a group of individuals were attempting to cross the river, which shares a border with Eritrea.
Initial reports indicate that approximately 26 people were onboard the vessel when the accident took place.
Rescue efforts have been underway, with seven people, including a child, successfully saved from the perilous waters.
However, the recovery operation has been hampered by challenging conditions, with authorities confirming the retrieval of only two bodies thus far.
This devastating event marks the second major tragedy to strike Ethiopia in recent days.
A landslide in the southern part of the country on Monday resulted in the deaths of over 250 people.
The full extent of the boat accident is still under investigation, and authorities are working diligently to account for all passengers and recover the remaining victims.