On Sunday, December 29, 2024, a tragic road accident in the Sidama region of southern Ethiopia claimed the lives of 71 people. The freight truck, carrying 76 passengers, including wedding guests, took a fatal plunge into a river, marking one of the deadliest road accidents in Ethiopia in 2024.
The incident took place around 5:30 p.m. local time, with the overloaded truck veering off the Gelan bridge in Bona Zuria Woreda. This location within the Horn of Africa nation lies roughly 186 miles south of Ethiopiaโs capital, Addis Ababa. The truck failed to navigate a series of sharp turns, leading to the dreadful accident.
โThe accident was especially horrific as the river had a lot of big stones, so most passengers, including the driver, were killed due to the impact,โ reported Wossenyeleh Simion, an official with the regional communications department. The rocky riverbed at the crash site significantly contributed to the high death toll.
Out of the 76 passengers, 68 men and three women tragically lost their lives. โAmong the deceased are four people from the same family,โ added Simion. The truck was transporting wedding guests and local residents when the driver lost control on the bend.
Just before the accident, a local villager named Serak Boko witnessed individuals in suits dancing and celebrating to loud music emanating from the truck.
Following the accident, five passengers were rushed to Bona General Hospital in critical condition, according to Simion. Two of these individuals remained in the hospital due to severe injuries, while three others were discharged despite suffering psychological trauma.
Local residents responded promptly, venturing into the river and utilizing ropes in an attempt to extricate the overturned truck. However, the vehicle remained stuck in the riverbed, complicating rescue operations. Pictures from the location depicted bystanders striving to assist victims, with bodies covered in tarpaulins nearby.
The accident underscored the serious transportation challenges in rural Ethiopia, where trucks are often used to transport large groups to social events due to inadequate public transportation. The majority of male passengers were accompanying the bride, following a cultural tradition.
The remote location and limited availability of emergency resources hindered rescue efforts. Initial responders had only basic tools for the recovery operation. The high number of fatalities was attributed to both poor road construction and the lack of nearby critical care facilities.
According to local inhabitants, the area around the Gelan Bridge has seen several traffic accidents. The road lacks crucial safety features such as speed bumps and warning signs, posing significant risks for larger vehicles.
Notably, Ethiopia has a history of severe road accidents. Another devastating incident occurred in the Wolayita Zone on September 24, 2024, where a bus traveling from Wolaita Sodo to Dawro Zone flipped over and fell into a river, resulting in 28 deaths and 19 injuries. Those injured were receiving intensive medical care in nearby facilities, with authorities cautioning that the death toll could rise due to the severity of some injuries.
In 2018, a bus careening into a ravine in Ethiopiaโs mountainous northern region led to 38 fatalities, primarily students. The countryโs road safety issues are further compounded by poorly maintained vehicles and inadequate infrastructure.