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At least 66 people died when the truck plunged into the river southern Ethiopiasaid the hospital director on Monday.
The accident occurred on Sunday when an old, overcrowded truck carrying wedding guests fell off the Gelana Bridge where, according to villagers, traffic accidents happened before.
AT LEAST 183 KILLED IN ETHIOPIA IN 2 MONTHS DUE TO CONFLICT IN AMHARA REGION, UN SAYS
The medical director of Bono General Hospital in the southern region of Sidama, Lema Lagid, told The Associated Press on Monday that 64 people died on the spot and two more at the hospital.
He said patients requiring more intensive care were transferred to a larger hospital in Haws.
Delays in the rescue efforts in the remote village were responsible for the high number of casualties. The villagers said that they only tried to save people from the raging river with sticks.
This undated photo shows the flag of Ethiopia. (Bildagentur-online/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
Serak Boka, a villager, told AP that minutes before the accident, music was playing from the truck and people in costumes were dancing and waving their hands.
People in rural Ethiopia usually hire trucks instead of buses for transportation to social places events such as weddings because they are more affordable and carry a lot of people. Most of those on the truck were men because they have to escort the bride from her home to the groom’s home.
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“There are always accidents around the river because it is poorly constructed,” said resident Fasil Atara, referring to the lack of bumps and warnings on the road.
Ethiopia has seen similar accidents in the past due to crumbling infrastructure and overcrowded public transport. In August, 38 people were killed when a bus overturned in the Amhara region.
