Tragic Collision: Train Disaster in Eastern Ethiopia

An overcrowded train packed with merchants collided with a stationary train in a remote area of eastern Ethiopia, claiming at least 14 lives and injuring dozens, according to a local official.

The tragic incident took place on Monday night near Dire Dawa as the train, loaded with merchants and goods, was returning from the town of Dewale, close to the Djibouti frontier.

Ibrahim Usman, the mayor of Dire Dawa, confirmed the death toll and lamented the tragic loss of lives in a Facebook statement on Tuesday. Witnesses reported delays in emergency response, citing a lack of immediate ambulance availability following the crash. Injured passengers were reported to have been pulled from the wreckage by local residents.