A devastating road accident in southern Ethiopia has claimed the lives of at least 71 people, Al Jazeera reported citing local authorities’ statement. The regional communication bureau informed in a statement, that the tragedy occurred when a truck packed with passengers plunged into a river in Sidama state, approximately 300 kilometres south of the capital city, Addis Ababa.
Following the accident, the Sidama Police Commission Traffic Prevention and Control Directorate shared a Facebook post and stated, “68 males and three females are known to have died in the accident so far”, quoting Chief Inspector Daniel Sankura.
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.
Images shared by the Sidama Regional Health Bureau show the chaotic scene of the accident, with a vehicle partially submerged in water and a large crowd of people attempting to help pull it from the waters, as per Al Jazeera. Other images depict the devastating aftermath, with bodies lying on the ground, some covered in blue tarpaulin. Further, the Sidama Regional Health Bureau has expressed its deepest condolences to the families of the victims and said it would share more information later.
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