An overcrowded bus traveling from Dessie to Addis Ababa crashed into a ravine about 100 meters deep early Monday on the mountainous Harego road in the Amhara region of northern Ethiopia, killing at least 28 to 31 people and injuring dozens more [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. Ethiopian local authorities said on Facebook, "The bus veered off the road and fell into a ravine about 100 meters deep on the way from Dessie to Addis Ababa" [2].
Photos posted by officials showed a severely damaged bus lying on a hillside [1, 3, 4]. Survivors have been taken to medical institutions for treatment, though poor infrastructure and a lack of ambulance services delayed emergency response, worsening some injured passengers' conditions [1, 3, 4]. Officials have not released the total number of passengers or the exact number of injuries [2, 3, 4, 5]. The cause of the accident remains under investigation [3, 4].
Road traffic deaths in Ethiopia have been rising steeply for years, with official statistics showing fatalities more than doubled between 2007 and 2018 [1]. The country’s roads are known for their dangers due to poor infrastructure, especially in mountainous areas [1]. In December 2024, a separate truck accident in the southern Sidama region killed 71 people when the vehicle fell into a river [1].
The latest crash highlights ongoing road safety challenges in Ethiopia. Officials and rescue teams continue to respond, and investigations into the cause and number of casualties are ongoing.
