Addis Ababa [Ethiopia], December 31: At least 71 members of a wedding party travelling in the Sidama region in southern Ethiopia died when their overloaded truck plunged into a river, authorities in the region reported on Monday.
The passengers, including the bride, were on their way from the religious ceremony to the home of the bride's parents for the reception.
The search for victims was continuing, the authorities said, adding that the death toll could rise, as many of the survivors were severely injured. In addition, the accident occurred in a remote part of a region with poor infrastructure.
In a Facebook post, the Sidama Police Commission Traffic Prevention and Control Directorate said "68 males and three females are known to have died in the accident so far", quoting Chief Inspector Daniel Sankura. A nearby hospital took in 73 of those who were injured. "We are overwhelmed," a spokesman said. The most severely injured would be transferred to the region's capital, he added.
A nurse told DPA that the nearest hospital did not have the equipment to care for people who are severely injured. "The village is not in a position to provide professional rescue operations," she said.
Wosenyeleh Simion, the spokesperson for the Sidama regional government, also confirmed to the Reuters news agency that 71 people had died.
"Five are in a critical condition and taking treatment at Bona General Hospital," Wosenyeleh added on Monday.
In its statement late on Sunday the regional communication bureau had given the death toll as 60, also adding that survivors were being treated at Bona General Hospital.
Blurred images shared by the Sidama Regional Health Bureau showed a mass of people surrounding a vehicle, partially submerged in water, with many seemingly attempting to help pull it from the waters.
Other images shared by the bureau appeared to show bodies, some covered in blue tarpaulin, lying on the ground. The police commission said the incident occurred at about 5:30pm local time (14:30 GMT) on Sunday when the vehicle plunged into a river. Wosenyeleh told Reuters the truck had missed a bridge and fell into a river and that the road had many bends.
Rural Ethiopia lacks official bus routes. Passengers are often transported by truck, which are frequently overcrowded and travel along winding mountain roads. Road accidents are common in Ethiopia, Africa's second-most populous nation, where roads are often poorly maintained. (Agencies)
Source: Qatar Tribune
