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At least 15 people have been killed after a train crash in eastern Ethiopia, local authorities have confirmed. The tragic accident happened on Monday night in the town of Shinile, when a moving train derailed and collided with another that was stationary on the track.
According to reports, the train was traveling from Dewele to Dire Dawa and was carrying both passengers and goods, including rice, pasta, and cooking oil. Witnesses said the crash was so violent that several carriages overturned and others were crushed, forcing many passengers to jump out of the train in a desperate attempt to save their lives.
District Commissioner Jibril Omar told BBC Somali that the train’s poor condition and overloading were likely to blame for the crash. He described the train as very old and unable to handle the heavy cargo it was transporting. “We believe overloading was a major factor in the crash,” he said. “Most of the passengers were young people, and many survived by jumping from the train.”
Local media shared images showing the wreckage scattered along the railway line, with rescue workers and residents trying to assist the injured. Although officials have not confirmed the exact number of people hurt, reports suggest that between 27 and 29 passengers sustained injuries, some of them serious.
Mohammed Adem, a spokesman for the Somali regional government, said that all the deceased and injured had been removed from the site and taken to nearby hospitals. He added that an investigation has been launched to determine the exact cause of the crash.
Train accidents are relatively uncommon in Ethiopia, a country with a growing but still limited railway network. However, experts have often warned that aging trains, poor maintenance, and heavy cargo loads could increase the risk of such incidents. Monday’s crash has reignited concerns about railway safety and infrastructure management, especially in rural and regional areas.
Shinile, where the crash occurred, lies in the Somali region of eastern Ethiopia. The area is one of the largest in the country and is mainly inhabited by ethnic Somalis. Train transport plays a key role in connecting the region to major Ethiopian cities and neighboring Djibouti, facilitating the movement of people and goods.
For now, the local community is reeling from the disaster, with families mourning the loss of loved ones and survivors recovering from the traumatic event. Rescue teams and investigators remain at the site, examining the wreckage to piece together what went wrong. Authorities have promised a full investigation and said measures will be taken to prevent such tragedies in the future.
As Ethiopia continues to modernize its transportation system, the accident serves as a grim reminder of the importance of regular maintenance, strict safety standards, and better oversight of train operations to protect passengers and prevent future loss of life.