Tragic Wedding Journey: Truck Plunges into Ethiopian River, Killing 66

A tragic accident in southern Ethiopia led to the deaths of at least 66 people after a truck carrying wedding guests plunged into a river. The incident highlights the region's poor road conditions and the reliance on trucks for transportation to social events like weddings.

At least 66 people have perished in a tragic accident in southern Ethiopia where a truck carrying wedding guests plunged into a river. The fatal incident occurred when an overcrowded truck contracted for the wedding fell off the Gelan Bridge, a notorious accident site.

The dire situation was compounded by delays in rescue efforts, as the remote location hindered immediate assistance. Villagers employed rudimentary methods, using sticks, to attempt rescues from the river. Many of the victims were men, fulfilling a cultural tradition to escort the bride.

Local infrastructure challenges, such as poorly constructed roads lacking safety features, are cited as contributing to such tragedies. This disaster follows a similar incident in August where 38 lives were lost in the Amhara region due to another vehicle mishap.

(With inputs from agencies.)