The death toll from a road accident in northern Ethiopia has risen to 31, local authorities confirmed on Monday, June 15.
The crash occurred in the early hours of the day when a public bus travelling from Dessie City in the Amhara region lost control and plunged into a 100-metre-deep ravine, according to Police cited by the Amhara Media Corporation.
The bus was carrying 64 passengers at the time of the accident. Authorities say 33 others sustained injuries ranging from serious to minor and are receiving treatment at nearby hospitals. The Kombolcha City Administration confirmed that the incident took place at around 6:00 a.m. local time (03:00 GMT) and has launched investigations to determine the cause of the crash.
In a statement, the administration expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and extended condolences to bereaved families, describing the tragedy as a painful blow to the community. The accident adds to a recurring pattern of fatal road incidents in Ethiopia, often linked to reckless driving, weak enforcement of traffic regulations, and poor road conditions.
As vehicle ownership rises alongside economic expansion and a growing middle class, experts are calling for stricter licensing systems and stronger enforcement measures to reduce road fatalities.