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A joyful celebration turned into a devastating tragedy in Ethiopia’s Sidama Region on December 29, 2024, when a truck carrying wedding guests plunged off the Gelana Bridge into a river below. The crash claimed the lives of at least 71 people, including 68 men and three women, leaving a community shattered.
Eyewitnesses reported that the truck was speeding as it approached the bridge, struggling to navigate the winding road. Overloaded with passengers far beyond its capacity, the vehicle failed to cross the narrow structure and fell into the river, submerging many of its passengers. The incident underscores the dire road safety challenges Ethiopia faces, where overloading, poor road conditions, and inadequate vehicle maintenance are prevalent.
Rescue efforts were hindered by the remote location and the treacherous river conditions. Locals attempted to save lives, wading into the water and using ropes to pull survivors and bodies from the wreckage. Survivors were rushed to Bona General Hospital, while those critically injured required further treatment at Hawassa Referral Hospital.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the tragedy to uncover the precise causes and recommend measures to prevent similar occurrences. Despite ongoing national road safety campaigns, traffic accidents remain alarmingly common in Ethiopia, claiming thousands of lives annually.
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