Ethiopia: More Than 100 People Killed in Drone Strike in East Gojjam Zone, Amhara Region

Addis Abeba - A drone strike on April 17 killed over 100 people in Gedeb. This rural town is in the Enarj Enawga district of East Gojjam Zone, Amhara region. Residents and eyewitnesses shared this information with the BBC.

The drone struck near Gedeb Primary School. Many people had gathered there for community development work. They were constructing a fence for the school. One eyewitness described them as "peaceful people" engaged in helpful activities.

Another witness was close to the strike's location. He said, "We didn't know what was happening." He recalled scenes of "screaming, commotion, and panic." When he approached the site, he saw chaos everywhere. "You couldn't distinguish individual people," he added.

He described how everything turned black after the explosion. There were no recognizable human forms left in the area. Some victims were screaming or rolling on the ground. He called it a horrifying act against humanity.

One resident was injured while working on the school fence. They reported a "heavy explosion" and many injuries among those present. More than 24 injured individuals were taken to Gedeb Primary Hospital for treatment. Sadly, most died shortly after arriving.

A resident who transported bodies said he used a bajaj (three-wheeled vehicle). He stated that between 115 and 120 bodies were buried afterward. He believed more victims might be unaccounted for due to panic during the event.

Another eyewitness estimated that at least 57 bodies were collected initially. He believed the total death toll exceeded 100.

Identifying victims proved difficult because of their severe injuries. Residents buried many bodies in a mass grave at Gedeb St. Giorgis Church by noon that day.

One resident mentioned they buried them quickly to prevent vultures from eating them. The community managed to dig about five graves rapidly.

After the attack, government forces entered Gedeb and conducted additional strikes. Some residents fled out of fear for their safety.

"There has been terror lately," one resident said, expressing widespread fear among locals. People observed Easter under stress, worried about further attacks. "There was no real holiday celebration," they noted sadly, adding that children from cities did not come home this year.