At least 19 people have died after their boat capsized on Saturday in the Amhara region of northern Ethiopia, according to local media reports on Sunday.
The Amhara Media Agency, citing a regional official, reported that seven people, including a child, were rescued under challenging conditions.
The accident occurred on a river in the region, though specific details about the incident and the victims have not yet been disclosed.
Ethiopia, despite being a landlocked country, has numerous rivers and lakes that serve as vital transportation routes for many rural communities.
However, these waterways often lack adequate safety measures, and boat accidents are not uncommon due to factors such as overloading, poor maintenance, and the absence of life-saving equipment.
The Amhara region, one of Ethiopia’s largest and most populous areas, has been significantly affected by ongoing ethnic conflicts and political instability.
These challenges have exacerbated the region’s infrastructural issues, making it difficult to ensure the safety and reliability of transportation methods, including riverine travel.
Ethiopia has been grappling with a complex humanitarian crisis, driven by conflict, climate change, and economic difficulties.
The Tigray conflict, which began in November 2020, has spilled over into neighboring regions, including Amhara, leading to widespread displacement and disruption of livelihoods. This broader instability has strained the country’s resources and hindered development efforts
