ADDIS ABABA, June 15 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from a traffic accident in northern Ethiopia has climbed to 31, local officials confirmed on Monday.
The accident occurred in the early hours of Monday when a public bus traveling from Dessie City in northern Ethiopia's Amhara region lost control and plunged into a 100-meter-deep ravine, Amhara Media Corporation quoted local police as saying.
According to local police, 33 others also sustained serious and minor injuries. The bus was carrying 64 people, and the victims are currently receiving treatment at nearby hospitals.
The Kombolcha City Administration confirmed in a statement that the crash took place at around 6:00 a.m. local time (0300 GMT), with 64 people aboard the bus.
Highlighting that police are currently investigating the cause of the deadly accident, the city administration expressed its deep sorrow following the loss of lives due to the tragic accident, offering condolences to the victims' families.
The accident is the latest in a series of deadly traffic incidents in the East African country, often linked to reckless driving, weak law enforcement, and poor road conditions.
With vehicle numbers rising alongside the country's growing economy and expanding middle class, experts call for stricter safety enforcement and a more rigorous licensing system to prevent future accidents. ■