By SAMUEL GETACHEW, Related Press
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AP) — At the least 66 individuals have died after a truck plunged right into a river in southern Ethiopia, a hospital director stated Monday.
The accident befell Sunday when an previous, overcrowded truck that was contracted by wedding ceremony company fell off the Gelan Bridge, the place villagers stated visitors crashes have occurred earlier than.
The medical director at Bona Common Hospital within the southern Sidama area, Lemma Lagide, advised The Related Press on Monday that 64 individuals died on web site and two others on the hospital.
He stated these sufferers in want of extra subtle important 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 individuals from the raging river solely with sticks.
A villager, Serak Boko, advised AP that moments earlier than the accident, music was blasting out of the truck and other people wearing fits had been dancing and waving.
“The area always has regular accidents around the river as it is poorly constructed,” stated resident Fasil Atara, referring to the street missing bumps and warnings.
With desolate infrastructure and overcrowded public transportation, Ethiopia has had comparable accidents previously. In August, 38 individuals died after a bus rolled over in Amhara area.
Initially Printed: December 30, 2024 at 10:02 AM EST
