On Sunday, December 29, 2024, a devastating road accident in Ethiopia’s southern Sidama region claimed the lives of 71 people. A freight truck, overloaded with 76 wedding guests and other passengers, veered off a bridge and plummeted into a river.
The catastrophe unfolded around 5:30 p.m. local time on the Gelan bridge located in Bona Zuria Woreda. This area is approximately 186 miles south of Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa. The truck, filled beyond capacity, failed to navigate a series of sharp bends and consequently missed the bridge.
Regional communications department official, Wossenyeleh Simion, described the accident as particularly tragic. The river, filled with large stones, amplified the impact of the crash, killing most passengers, including the driver.
Among the 76 passengers, 68 men and three women did not survive. “Among the deceased are four people from the same family,” added Simion.
A local resident, Serak Boko, reported that music was playing loudly from the truck moments before the accident, while passengers in formal attire danced and celebrated.
According to Simion, five critically injured patients were rushed to Bona General Hospital. Two remained there with severe injuries, while three others were discharged despite psychological trauma.
Local residents initiated immediate rescue attempts, venturing into the river and using ropes in an attempt to retrieve the capsized vehicle. However, the truck was firmly stuck in the riverbed, making the recovery operation challenging. Pictures from the scene depicted bystanders attempting to aid victims as bodies were covered with tarpaulins on the ground.
This incident underscored the transportation difficulties in rural Ethiopia, where trucks are often used to transport large groups to social events due to the lack of adequate public transportation. Many male passengers were escorting the bride, as per local cultural tradition.
The isolated location and limited emergency resources slowed down rescue efforts. First responders initially only had basic tools for the recovery operation. The high death toll was attributed to poor road construction and the lack of nearby critical care facilities.
Local villagers reported that the area around the Gelan Bridge has seen numerous traffic accidents. The road lacks essential safety features such as speed bumps and warning signs, making it particularly dangerous for larger vehicles.
Ethiopia has a long history of serious road accidents. On September 24, 2024, a bus traveling from Wolaita Sodo to the Dawro Zone fell into a river, resulting in 28 fatalities and 19 injuries. In 2018, a bus plunged into a ravine in the northern region of the country, resulting in 38 deaths, mostly students. The country’s road safety challenges are compounded by poorly maintained vehicles and insufficient infrastructure.
