A tragic road accident in southern Ethiopia has resulted in the loss of over 60 lives, as reported by local health officials on Sunday. The incident, which took place at Gelana bridge in the Bona Zuria Woreda, has been confirmed by the Sidama regional health bureau, which stated that the accident has claimed the lives of 66 individuals to date.
Located approximately 300 kilometers south of the capital city, Addis Ababa, Sidama state has been the site of this devastating event. The health bureau shared the grim news via social media, although they did not provide additional specifics regarding the circumstances surrounding the accident.
In the aftermath of the collision, four passengers who sustained injuries are currently receiving medical care at the Bona general hospital, as noted by the health bureau. The community is mourning the significant loss of life, and further investigations into the incident are likely to follow.
Altered images published by the health bureau illustrated a significant assembly of people surrounding a vehicle that was partially submerged in water, with many individuals seemingly engaged in efforts to recover it from the depths.
Additional visuals shared by the bureau appeared to show bodies covered with blue tarpaulins, lying on the ground.
The bureau expressed its condolences to the victims of the tragedy and stated that more information would be released as it becomes accessible.
AFP
It is reported that all those passengers were on a semi cargo truck. Such truck owners/drivers use them to transport civilians illegally which has made roads in that country some of the most dangerous in the world. It reminds me what I myself saw in the late 1960’s. When I went home during one of my vacation days to spend the summer with my family, I saw about 10 people with their goods riding on a cart being pulled by a farm tractor on their back from a market. Such misuse of vehicles is common and many times end up in a tragedy like this.
May the deceased rest in eternal peace!
Meanwhile, I would like to take a moment to wish you all of my very dear countrymen/women A Happy and Rewarding Year in 2025 and years beyond that. It is also my Best Wishes for that gem of a country that produced us all that it will somehow finds the wherewithal to be at peace with itself in the coming year. Insha’Allah!!!
As the New Year 2025 is already here, let’s all pause for a moment to remember those who are with us anymore. Some of those were committed dear friends of our old country. We lost one of the greatest friends of Ethiopia; Harry Belafonte in 2023 and in 2024 Ethiopia lost one of its steadfast friends, Quincy Jones. These two stood by the sides of the people of Ethiopia who were dying from man-made famine in 1984-85 when everyone else was looking the other way. Harry came up with a wonderful idea of getting celebrity singers together to sing for charity. Lionel and Michael wrote the song and Quincy arranged and conducted it to be the #1 pop song of all time. The top music celebrities of the time were in the recording room in profusion. The Banana Boat himself Belafonte was out there. Billy Jean Michael and the entire Jackson brood were there. Girls Want To Have Fun Cyndi Lauper serenaded everyone in the room. Bob Dylan, Stevie Wonder and Ray Charles, Hit The Road Jack if you will, were singing from the top of their lungs. Goddesses Tina, Diana, Dionne had graced the microphone. Bruce was not Dancing In The Dark that night. Paul Simon was not with Julio Down By The SchoolYard that day. No sir!!! They were all there to stand by the starving and dying people of Ethiopia. Many of those friends of Ethiopia are not with us anymore. Let’s remember and thank them one more time.
Above all let’s not forget those hundreds of thousands of young people our old country lost in stupid conflicts started by bigots and connivers since 1974. Young people are still losing their Allah Blessed lives after being hoodwinked by smart alecks. Let’s take a moment to remember them! May all rest in eternal peace!!!!