The number has increased to 18!

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The story of the accident is building as a father and son were among those who lost their life.

The funeral ceremony for 11 believers was held today!! Yesterday, while returning from the feast of Abune Gebre Menfes Qidus at Zigiti in Arbaminch, a car accident occurred near the town of Desa in the Damot Weyde district of the Wolaita Zone, resulting in the immediate death of 14 believers. According to information received from the zone police, 4 out of the 21 people who were seriously injured and receiving treatment at Otona Hospital have also passed away. As of the time this report was prepared, the total number of deaths is reported to have reached 18. It has been confirmed by churches in Shashemene that the funeral ceremony for 11 of the believers took place yesterday. The burials of these 11 believers were conducted according to the proximity of their residences and at their respective local churches. Accordingly, 6 individuals were buried at Debre Asebo Abune Teklehaimanot Church, 3 at Lideta Church, and 3—including the driver who was operating the vehicle at the time, his teenage son, and other remaining believers—at St. John’s Church.
The funeral arrangements for the remaining deceased are set to take place today, based on the wishes of their families and various circumstances, as confirmed by their relatives. At the funeral ceremony, government officials from the West Arsi Zone, religious leaders, numerous residents of the city, and people from various areas attended to participate in the burial proceedings.
In particular, the entire Shashemene community—Muslims and Christians, young and old alike—came out in droves, shedding tears and mourning these children who had returned from their pilgrimage only to lose their lives in a tragic death. Shashemene is now engulfed in profound grief! This accident, which has shattered the hearts of many, has further unsettled a spirit that was yet to find peace. Though grief is inevitable and indescribable, the fact that the driver and his son also lost their lives intensifies the sorrow. That teenage boy, who had yet to taste the fullness of this world, was a hope for his deceased father, his mother, and his country. This is the cruelty of death—it does not distinguish by order or timing, sparing neither the young nor the old. It strikes as it wills and takes as it pleases. Death is a harsh reality!
The loss of these believers is a significant blow both to the church and the nation! At a time when many youths abandon their faith and the religion of their forefathers, indulging in deceit, slander, theft, crime, and various destructive behaviors, losing believers who lived virtuously—dedicated to fasting, prayer, and the well-being of their souls and bodies—is a deep wound for the nation. Words cannot adequately express the pain of their families. These were righteous individuals who not only cared for themselves but also supported their families and tended to their frail parents.
Though everyone knows death is inevitable, no one imagines that the angel of death will come for them today or tomorrow, interrupting their plans. This accident serves as a stark reminder of that reality. One of the founders of the youth travel group, whose video you may have seen, once spoke about how they established their association and how, for the past five years, they had faithfully journeyed to the feast of the righteous one, trusting in the Creator who granted them life.
In connection with the passing of these believers, the blessed archbishops, acting as spiritual fathers, have conveyed their heartfelt sorrow and messages of comfort to the families through the churches and monasteries they oversee. His Grace Abune Henok, Archbishop of the Addis Ababa Diocese, expressed his grief over the loss of lives in the car accident that occurred while returning from the annual feast of St. Abune Gebre Menfes Qidus at Zigiti, saying:
“We had faith, and even more, we delight in being absent from the body and present with the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 5:8)
“We heard with great sadness about the sudden car accident that struck our children in the Wolaita Zone yesterday, as they were returning to Shashemene after celebrating the annual feast of the righteous Abune Gebre Menfes Qidus at Zigiti.”
Though the loss of these children is heart-wrenching for their families and all who hear of it, they were called to eternity while engaged in good deeds, heading to the house of God, and fulfilling their Christian duties. Knowing that their God and Father will receive them in His embrace, where there is no sorrow, we must give thanks to God for all things.
For our children who were called to their eternal home through this accident, we pray that God grants comfort to their families and the faithful. For those injured and under medical care, our prayer is that He heals them swiftly. May God bless Ethiopia!
The blessed archbishops have expressed their sorrow for those who lost their lives in this car accident.
(MK TV, March 7, 2025 EC)
It is recalled that yesterday, March 6, 2025 EC, a sudden car accident occurred in the Wolaita Zone, claiming the lives of believers returning to Shashemene after celebrating the annual feast of Abune Gebre Menfes Qidus at Zigiti.
In response, His Grace Abune Abraham, General Manager of the Patriarchate and Archbishop of Bahir Dar and North Gojjam Dioceses; His Grace Abune Gorgorios, Archbishop of East Shewa Diocese and Superior of Zewai Hamere Berhan St. Gabriel Monastery and Spiritual College; His Grace Abune Henok, Archbishop of Addis Ababa Diocese and Overseer of the Orthodox Media Center; His Grace Abune Qalementos, Archbishop of North Shewa Diocese; His Grace Abune Yishaq, Archbishop of Wolaita Diocese; and His Grace Abune Rufael, Archbishop of Gambella, East Wellega, West Wellega, Qellem Wellega, Horo Guduru Wellega, Benishangul-Gumuz Assosa, and South Sudan Dioceses, have expressed their profound sorrow.
They have prayed that God may rest the souls of those who perished in the traffic accident in the paradise of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Finally, the archbishops have announced that prayers of justice will be offered for the deceased in the churches and monasteries under their jurisdictions. They have also conveyed their message, asking God to grant mercy to the believers injured in the accident and currently receiving treatment.
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