RismadarVoice Reporters, June 16, 2026
At least 31 people have died and dozens more have been injured after an overcrowded bus crashed in northern Ethiopia, plunging into a deep ravine along a mountainous road, police have confirmed.
The accident occurred early Monday when the bus, travelling towards the capital Addis Ababa, veered off a winding highway in the Amhara region after departing from the town of Dessie.
Authorities said the vehicle fell approximately 100 metres (around 330 feet) into a ravine on the Harego mountain road, an area known for its steep terrain and sharp bends.
Police reported that several passengers died at the scene, while others succumbed to their injuries due to delays in receiving medical treatment. Survivors were reportedly taken to nearby health facilities, though limited emergency response capacity in the region complicated rescue efforts.
Images shared on social media showed the wreckage of the bus scattered along a hillside, highlighting the severity of the impact.
Local accounts and reports indicate that poor road infrastructure, limited ambulance availability, and difficult terrain contributed to the high death toll. In some cases, injured passengers were transported to hospitals using private means due to the lack of immediate emergency services.
Ethiopia continues to record some of the highest rates of road traffic fatalities globally, with experts attributing the situation to factors such as inadequate road signage, challenging geography, and increasing vehicle congestion.
According to international assessments, road safety in the country has deteriorated in recent years, with traffic-related deaths more than doubling over 12 years between 2007 and 2018.
The latest tragedy follows a series of deadly road accidents in the country, including a 2024 incident in which 71 people were killed when a truck plunged into a river in the southern Sidama region.
Authorities are expected to launch an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Monday’s crash as rescue and recovery operations continue.
