A tragic accident in southern Ethiopia has resulted in the deaths of at least 66 people after a truck carrying wedding guests plunged into a river. The incident occurred on Sunday at the Gelan Bridge, an area known for previous traffic accidents.
The overloaded truck, reportedly contracted for transporting guests to a wedding, veered off the bridge and into the river below. Initial reports indicate 64 people died at the scene, with two more succumbing to their injuries at Bona General Hospital. The hospital's medical director, Lemma Lagide, confirmed the fatalities to the Associated Press on Monday.
Following the incident, critically injured patients requiring advanced medical care were transferred to a larger hospital in Hawassa. Rescue efforts were reportedly hampered by the remote location of the accident site, with villagers initially using only sticks to try and help those in the river.
Eyewitness accounts suggest the truck was playing music and carrying passengers dressed in suits, who were dancing and waving shortly before the accident. It is common practice in rural Ethiopia for people to use trucks for social event transportation due to their affordability and capacity to carry many people. Typically, men form the majority of such transport when attending weddings.
Local residents, like Fasil Atara, have stated that the area around the river is prone to accidents due to inadequate road construction, including a lack of warnings and speed control measures. This incident follows similar tragic events in Ethiopia, highlighting concerns about infrastructure and public transport safety. In August, 38 people lost their lives after a bus overturned in the Amhara region.
