At least 31 people died in bus accident in northern Ethiopia early Monday, dozens more injured. Overcrowded bus was headed to Addis Ababa when it veered off zigzagging Harego road,plunging into ravine about 100 meters deep .
The bus left Dessie, a town in northern Amhara region,known for its treacherous roads. Photos on social media show bus shattered,lying broken on hillside. Eyewitnesses say several victims died from injuries after delayed medical help .
Emergency response in Ethiopia struggles with poor infrastructure,lack of ambulances. Many injured had to make their own way to hospitals, worsening their conditions. This tragic event points to ongoing road safety crisis in Ethiopia,which has one of highest traffic fatality rates globally.
Traffic deaths in Ethiopia more than doubled from 2007 to 2018, per a UN report. Lack of traffic signs and road markings remains a major safety issue. In December 2024,71 people died when truck they were in fell into river in southern Sidama region.
As Ethiopia faces its perilous road conditions,this latest crash adds to grim road safety stats in East Africa…
