A devastating bus crash has claimed the lives of at least 28 people in Ethiopia’s Amhara region after a passenger vehicle plunged into a ravine while travelling from the city of Dessie to the capital, Addis Ababa, authorities have confirmed.

The tragedy, reported by the state-run Amhara Media Corporation, has once again drawn attention to the persistent road safety challenges facing Ethiopia, where deadly traffic accidents continue to exact a heavy human toll despite repeated calls for improved transport infrastructure and stricter safety measures.

According to police cited by the regional broadcaster, the bus veered off the road before crashing into a deep ravine, leaving dozens of passengers dead and many others injured.

Rescue operations were launched immediately after the accident, with emergency responders, local residents and security personnel rushing to the scene in an effort to recover victims and assist survivors. “So far, 28 people have lost their lives, while many others have sustained minor and serious injuries,” police stated.

The exact number of passengers aboard the vehicle at the time of the crash has not yet been officially disclosed, and authorities have indicated that the death toll could rise as rescue and recovery efforts continue. Several injured passengers were transported to nearby medical facilities, where some remain in critical condition.

Witnesses described chaotic scenes as rescuers struggled to reach victims trapped in and around the wreckage. The difficult terrain surrounding the crash site complicated rescue efforts, forcing emergency teams to navigate challenging conditions while searching for survivors.

The accident has sent shockwaves through communities in the Amhara region and beyond, with families anxiously awaiting information about loved ones who may have been travelling on the bus. Local leaders and residents have expressed grief over the loss of life, while offering support to affected families as authorities continue their investigations.

The crash occurred along a route frequently used by travellers moving between northern Ethiopia and the capital. Preliminary reports suggest the driver may have lost control before the vehicle left the roadway, although investigators have not yet determined the precise cause of the accident.

Officials have launched a formal investigation and are expected to examine a range of possible factors, including the mechanical condition of the bus, road conditions, driver actions and any environmental circumstances that may have contributed to the tragedy.

The disaster comes amid ongoing concerns about road safety across Ethiopia, where traffic accidents remain a significant public safety issue. Poor road conditions in some areas, aging vehicle fleets, inadequate maintenance and challenging terrain have long been cited as factors contributing to the country’s high rate of fatal road crashes.

Transportation experts note that accidents involving public buses often result in large numbers of casualties because such vehicles frequently carry dozens of passengers. When crashes occur near rivers, steep valleys or remote locations, rescue operations become considerably more difficult, reducing the chances of survival for those trapped inside.

The latest incident has reignited calls for stronger enforcement of transportation regulations, improved driver training and greater investment in road infrastructure.

Deadly Road Accidents Continue to Haunt Ethiopia’s Transport Network

The latest tragedy is far from an isolated incident and highlights a broader pattern of fatal road accidents that have repeatedly shaken communities across Ethiopia.

Despite efforts to improve transportation systems, road crashes continue to claim hundreds of lives each year. Safety experts point to a combination of factors, including inadequate infrastructure, vehicle maintenance challenges, driver behaviour and the difficult geography of many parts of the country.

In 2024, Ethiopia witnessed one of its deadliest transportation disasters when at least 71 people were killed in the southern Sidama region after a truck plunged into a river. That incident sparked widespread debate about road safety standards and prompted renewed calls for stronger oversight of public transport operators.

Yet accidents continue to occur, often with devastating consequences.

The latest crash in the Amhara region has renewed scrutiny of passenger transport services operating across long-distance routes.

There are also calls for expanded investment in emergency response systems, particularly in rural and mountainous regions where access to crash sites can be challenging and rescue operations are frequently delayed by difficult terrain.

Community leaders mourning the victims have urged authorities to move beyond investigations and implement practical measures that can save lives. Many argue that every major accident is followed by promises of reform, yet similar tragedies continue to occur.

As rescue teams complete recovery operations and investigators work to establish the exact cause of the crash, families across Ethiopia are mourning the loss of loved ones whose journeys ended in disaster.