At least 19 people died in a boat accident in Ethiopia’s Amhara region while traveling to a funeral on the Tekeze River. Efforts are ongoing to retrieve the victims’ bodies, but only two have been recovered so far. The river is a gateway for illegal migrants and civilians escaping conflict in Amhara and Tigray, with boats regularly capsize due to smugglers transporting migrants. The ongoing conflict in Amhara has led to an increase in civilian displacement, with many embarking on risky migrations to escape violence. This accident comes as Ethiopians mourned the deaths of 257 people in mudslides in a remote part of the country, leading lawmakers to declare a three-day period of national mourning. The authorities are yet to make a comment on the boat accident.
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