ADDIS ABABA, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- At least 17 people were killed in two separate traffic accidents that happened in Ethiopia on Sunday, according to local officials.
The first deadly traffic accident happened on Sunday evening when a transport bus carrying 27 passengers lost control and veered off the road in Wolaita zone of South Ethiopia regional state, leaving at least 11 dead, state-affiliated Fana Broadcasting Corporate (FBC) quoted local officials as saying.
The passengers were said to be government employees and local business people en route to Hawassa city after participating in a leisure sporting activity.
Local officials said the 16 other people who have sustained light and serious injuries from the accident are currently receiving medical treatment in nearby health institutions.
Another six people were killed in a traffic accident in Central Ethiopia regional state, local officials disclosed on Sunday.
In a press statement, the regional police commission said the accident happened on Sunday afternoon in Meskan district of Gurage zone when a dry freight truck collided head on with a transport auto-rickshaw, killing six people inside the auto-rickshaw.
Although the East African country has one of the lowest per capita car ownership rates in the world, deadly traffic accidents are relatively common. The blame is often put on bad roads, reckless driving, lax enforcement of safety rules, and a flawed system for issuing driving licenses. ■