Boat Disaster in Ethiopia Kills 12

Reports from northern Ethiopia indicate a tragic incident where at least 12 individuals have drowned after their boat sank in the Amhara region. The wooden vessel was transporting passengers to a funeral across the Tekeze River, which serves as a natural border between Ethiopia and Eritrea.

On Saturday, the boat was struck by a sudden flash flood, leading to its capsizing. At the time of the accident, it was believed that 26 people were on board. Survivors were promptly rescued and taken to local hospitals for medical treatment, including a child who was reported to be in critical condition.

As of Sunday, it remains unclear whether all the bodies of the deceased have been recovered from the river. Local authorities have been working diligently to locate the missing individuals. Compounding the tragedy, a local official informed the Amhara Media Corporation (AMC) that the completion of an out-of-use bridge spanning the Tekeze River had been delayed, which could have provided a safer alternative for transportation.

Access to northern Ethiopia is heavily restricted by the government, making it challenging for media outlets to report on the situation. The region has also been experiencing recent tensions, with clashes reported between the military and an ethnic Amhara militia known as the Fano.

This incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by communities in the region, where infrastructure issues and security concerns continue to impact daily life. As the search for the missing continues, the local community mourns the loss of those who perished in this tragic event.