Bus plunges into 100-metre ravine in Ethiopia: at least 28 dead, some sources say 31
An overcrowded bus veered off a winding road and fell roughly 100 metres into a ravine in Ethiopia's Amhara region early Monday. Local authorities say at least 28 people died and dozens were injured, while police in Kombolcha put the death toll at 31.
The crash
An overcrowded bus departed Dessie, in Ethiopia's northern Amhara region, bound for the capital Addis Ababa early on Monday morning. Shortly after leaving the city, the vehicle veered off a winding, hilly road and plunged about 100 metres into a deep ravine. The road is widely known as hazardous, although the exact cause of the crash remains under investigation.
28 people lost their lives and many others were slightly or seriously injured. Efforts are underway to transport survivors to medical facilities and an investigation is ongoing to determine the cause of the accident.
Casualty and emergency response
Conflicting death tolls emerged in the hours after the crash. The Amhara regional government, posting on Facebook, said at least 28 people were killed. However, the Kombolcha Town Administration Police Division told the Associated Press that at least 31 had died. Both sources reported dozens more injured, with some in critical condition. The driver was among the dead, according to one report.
Emergency response was delayed because the area lacks adequate infrastructure and ambulance services. First responders and bystanders used public vehicles to ferry survivors to hospitals in Dessie and Kombolcha. Many of the injured are being treated for severe injuries sustained in the fall.
- Overcrowded bus departs Dessie for Addis Ababa early Monday morning.
- Shortly after departure, bus veers off road and plunges 100 metres into a ravine.
- Police report at least 31 dead; Amhara authorities say 28 dead and many injured.
- Survivors are transported to Dessie and Kombolcha hospitals; investigation launched.
Hazardous roads and a history of accidents
The Amhara region has a history of deadly road crashes. In December 2024, a similar accident in the southern Sidama region left 66 people dead when a bus plunged into a river. Ethiopian roads are frequently poorly maintained, and overcrowded buses are common. The country, Africa's second most populous with some 130 million people, records one of the continent's highest rates of road fatalities.
Investigation ongoing
Authorities have launched an inquiry into the circumstances of the crash. Early reports suggest the bus may have lost control before veering off the road, but no official cause has been determined. Police said the overloading of passengers may also be examined as a factor.
