16 dead after dump truck overturns in central Ethiopia

ADDIS ABABA, Feb. 2 — At least 16 people were killed when a dump truck overturned in Ethiopia’s central Oromia regional state, an Ethiopian official said on Tuesday.
Mohammed Tekesa, communications officer with West Arsi zone police department, Oromia regional state, said the deadly traffic accident happened on Monday evening when a dump truck veered off the highway and overturned leaving at least 16 people dead.
The dead had illegally boarded on top of the dump truck which was carrying gravel at the time of the accident, reported state-affiliated media outlet Fana Broadcasting Corporate (FBC).
Tekesa said five other passengers which sustained grave injuries are currently being treated in nearby medical institutions.
He further said police have determined the cause of the traffic accident to be illegally transporting people on top of the dump truck while driving at high speed.
On Saturday, at least 24 people were killed when a transport bus veered off a highway and fell off a cliff in Ethiopia’s northern Amhara regional state.
The deadly traffic accident happened when a transport bus traveling on the road fell off a cliff into a 200-meter-deep gorge, leaving at least 24 people dead.
Deadly traffic accidents in Ethiopia are fairly common, with the blame put on bad roads, reckless driving, a flawed driving license issuance system, and lax enforcement of safety rules.

– Xinhua