A devastating road accident in Ethiopia’s southern Sidama region has claimed the lives of at least 70 people, local authorities confirmed late Sunday. The tragedy unfolded in the Bona district when a truck overloaded with passengers plunged into a river.
Survivors of the crash are receiving treatment at Bona General Hospital, according to a statement from the regional communication bureau.
The state-run Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation (EBC) reported that the victims were en route to a wedding when the accident occurred. The exact cause of the crash remains under investigation.
Road accidents are a recurring tragedy in Ethiopia, often attributed to poorly maintained vehicles and substandard driving practices. In 2018, a similar catastrophe in the country’s northern highlands saw a bus carrying mostly students plunge into a ravine, resulting in 38 deaths.
Authorities have called for heightened road safety measures in response to the recurring loss of life on Ethiopian roads.