At least 31 individuals lost their lives, and 33 others sustained injuries following a tragic incident where a bus careened off the road and plunged into a ravine in Ethiopia, as confirmed by the authorities. The bus, en route from Dessie to the capital city of Addis Ababa, met with the unfortunate accident early on Monday in the northern Amhara region, as reported by the state-run Amhara Media Corporation.
The fatal crash transpired in a vicinity leading towards Kombolcha, according to statements from Commander Getachew Muhiye as relayed by the regional government’s communications bureau. Among the 31 fatalities was the bus driver, with 33 others suffering various degrees of injuries, informed Mr. Muhiye to state media, correcting the earlier death toll reported as 28.
Numerous casualties are suspected to have perished due to delayed emergency response in the area, where the absence of essential infrastructure and ambulance services compelled survivors to be transported via public vehicles.
The accident site, known for its perilous hilly terrain, is under scrutiny to determine the cause of the tragic event.
This incident comes in the wake of a previous catastrophe in December 2024, where 71 individuals lost their lives in Ethiopia’s southern Sidama region when a truck plunged into a river. The overcrowded vehicle fell from Gelan Bridge along a route known for past serious accidents, further exacerbated by delays in rescue operations in the remote location.
In rural Ethiopia, trucks are frequently utilized for social gatherings such as weddings due to cost-effectiveness and higher passenger capacity compared to buses. Typically, men, who traditionally accompany the bride from her family’s residence to the groom’s house, constitute the majority of passengers in such events.
Local residents have voiced concerns about the inadequate road infrastructure, with resident Fasil Atara highlighting the absence of speed bumps and warning signs along the poorly constructed road.
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