At least 70 people were killed when a truck packed with passengers plunged into a river in the Sidama region in southern Ethiopia, the regional police have said.
The accident occurred on Sunday around 5:00 PM in the Bona Zuria district, Eastern Sidama zone, when the truck carrying passengers to a wedding ceremony veered off a bridge and plunged into the Gelana River.
The accident occurred when the truck was traveling from Bona to Bensa, resulting in the deaths of 68 men and three women.
Police confirmed to APA that the victims were relatives from the same family traveling to attend a wedding.
Deputy Inspector Shumete Tuncha, police head of the Bona Zuria district said that the accident was caused by overloading.
“The truck was carrying passengers beyond its capacity,” he said.
The official reported that 71 people, including the groom, lost their lives in the accident.
He added that the bodies of the deceased were being transported as late as 9:00 p.m.
Despite a low per capita car ownership rate, deadly traffic accidents are relatively common in Ethiopia due to poor road conditions, reckless driving, a flawed driving license issuance system, and lax enforcement of safety regulations.
MG/as/APA