Ethiopia truck crash results in 22 fatalities and multiple injuries reported

A truck carrying migrants and asylum seekers overturned on a highway in Semera, Ethiopia’s northern Afar region, resulting in at least 22 fatalities and 65 injuries.

According to local authorities, the accident occurred when the truck, which was overcrowded with Ethiopian nationals who had been misled by unlicensed brokers, lost control. The regional government has since provided medical assistance to the injured individuals at Doubtee Referral Hospital.

The incident is part of a larger trend in migration patterns along the Eastern Route, a popular pathway for asylum seekers and migrants from countries such as Somalia, Eritrea, and Djibouti. Many use this route to seek employment opportunities in Gulf nations, with thousands attempting the journey across the Red Sea each year.

Data from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) indicates that between January and September 2025, there were 890 reported deaths and disappearances along the Eastern Route. This represents a significant increase compared to previous years, with tracked movements rising by 24 percent in 2025.

The IOM notes that the route has seen increased transit flows and shifting routes due to efforts to evade controls in Djibouti and Somalia. Despite these challenges, the Eastern Route remains one of the busiest and riskiest migration routes globally.

Source: Al Jazeera