At least 71 people lost their lives in a devastating road accident in Ethiopia’s Sidama state after a lorry plunged into a river on Sunday.
Local officials confirmed that the vehicle, carrying passengers to a wedding, missed a bridge and fell into the water below.
The tragedy claimed the lives of 68 men and 3 women, many of whom were wedding guests. Initial reports from traffic police indicate that the lorry was overloaded, which likely contributed to the driver’s loss of control.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos and grief as emergency responders worked tirelessly to retrieve bodies and survivors from the wreckage. “It was meant to be a joyous day, but it turned into a heartbreaking tragedy,” one local resident said.
Authorities have expressed condolences to the affected families and pledged a thorough investigation into the incident. Traffic accidents remain a significant concern in Ethiopia, often caused by overloading, poor road conditions, and lack of safety measures.
