At least 14 people have been confirmed dead and dozens more injured after an overcrowded train carrying merchants collided with a stationary train in eastern Ethiopia on Monday night, local authorities have said.
The tragic crash occurred near Dire Dawa, a major city close to the Djibouti border, as the train was returning from the trading town of Dewale.
In a statement posted on Facebook, Dire Dawa Mayor Ibrahim Usman expressed his condolences to the victims’ families, describing the incident as a “deeply painful tragedy” for the region.
Witnesses Report Delayed Emergency Response
Eyewitnesses told the Associated Press that emergency response was slow, with ambulances arriving late to the crash site. Locals reportedly rushed to rescue survivors, pulling the injured from the wreckage before medical help arrived.
Authorities are yet to release details on the cause of the collision, but preliminary reports suggest that overcrowding and inadequate safety measures may have contributed to the high number of casualties.
A Growing Concern Over Railway Safety
The Dire Dawa–Dewale route is a key commercial corridor linking Ethiopia to Djibouti, serving as a lifeline for merchants transporting goods. However, concerns have been mounting over safety standards, with recent reports citing aging infrastructure and insufficient maintenance along parts of the line.
Ethiopian authorities have launched an investigation into the crash, pledging to improve railway safety and emergency preparedness in the region.
