Not less than 66 folks have died after a truck plunged right into a river in southern Ethiopia, a hospital director stated Monday.
The accident came about Sunday when an outdated, overcrowded truck that was contracted by wedding ceremony friends fell off the Gelan Bridge, the place villagers stated visitors crashes have occurred earlier than.
IN ETHIOPIA, AT LEAST 183 KILLED IN 2 MONTHS DUE TO CONFLICT IN AMHARA REGION, UN SAYS
The medical director at Bona Normal Hospital within the southern Sidama area, Lemma Lagide, advised The Related Press on Monday that 64 folks died on website and two others on the hospital.
He stated these sufferers in want of extra refined essential care had been transferred to a much bigger hospital in Hawassa.
Delays in rescue efforts within the distant village had been blamed for the excessive variety of casualties. Villagers stated they tried to save lots of folks from the raging river solely with sticks.
This undated {photograph} reveals the Ethiopian flag. (Bildagentur-online/Common Photos Group by way of Getty Photos)
A villager, Serak Boko, advised AP that moments earlier than the accident, music was blasting out of the truck and folks wearing fits had been dancing and waving.
It is not uncommon for folks in rural Ethiopia to rent vans as a substitute of buses to move them to social occasions like weddings as a result of they’re extra inexpensive and carry many individuals. Most of these on the truck had been males as a result of they’re culturally required to escort the bride from her residence to the groom’s home.
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“The world all the time has common accidents across the river as it’s poorly constructed,” stated resident Fasil Atara, referring to the highway missing bumps and warnings.
With desolate infrastructure and overcrowded public transportation, Ethiopia has had related accidents up to now. In August, 38 folks died after a bus rolled over in Amhara area.
