Addis Ababa, Dec 30 (NationPress) A tragic event unfolded in the Sidama region of Ethiopia, where 71 individuals lost their lives when a truck filled with passengers plunged into a river, as reported by the regional police commission.
The incident took place on Sunday while the truck was en route from Bona to Bensa, leading to the deaths of 68 men and 3 women. Survivors are currently receiving medical care at local hospitals.
Despite having one of the lowest rates of car ownership per capita, Ethiopia experiences a significant number of deadly traffic incidents. This is attributed to poor road conditions, reckless driving behavior, a flawed system for issuing driving licenses, and insufficient enforcement of safety regulations, as reported by the Xinhua news agency.
On September 26, another traffic accident in southern Ethiopia resulted in 28 fatalities and 19 injuries, according to local media. This incident involved a bus that overturned while traveling from Wolaita Sodo to Dawro Zone.
The injured individuals were provided with critical medical attention at nearby healthcare facilities, and authorities cautioned that the death toll could rise.
Earlier, on April 13, a road accident in Ethiopia's central Oromia region claimed the lives of at least 15 people, according to a local official. The incident occurred when a bus collided head-on with a truck.
The injured were treated in two hospitals, and negligence was cited as the cause of this deadly crash.
Despite having one of the world's lowest car ownership rates, Ethiopia has a troubling record of fatal traffic accidents. Factors contributing to this issue include poor road infrastructure, reckless driving, lax adherence to safety protocols, and an ineffective driving license issuance system.
A report from Xinhua on February 28 indicated that at least 1,358 people had died in traffic accidents in Ethiopia over the past six months, with the government highlighting the severe concern these incidents pose.
During the first half of the current 2023-2024 Ethiopian fiscal year (which began on July 8, 2023), it was noted that 2,672 individuals suffered serious injuries from road traffic incidents, resulting in damages exceeding 1.9 billion Ethiopian birr (approximately $33 million).
According to State Minister Selamawit Kassa, studies reveal that more than 60 percent of traffic accidents in the country can be attributed to driver error. With the economy growing and the middle class expanding, Ethiopia has seen a steady increase in the number of vehicles over recent years.
