Eyewitnesses and local residents informed the BBC that a drone attack targeted an Isuzu truck in the Moja and Kwera districts of the North Showa region in Amhara on Monday, February 19, 2024, resulting in several fatalities.
According to four sources from the BBC, the incident occurred as the truck, which had departed from the small town of Sasit located outside Sala Stone, the district capital, was stopping in the area known as Fala Megendiya.
BBC sources, requesting anonymity for their safety, estimated the truck was carrying more than 50 passengers.
An eyewitness reported to the BBC that the attack happened during the unloading of passengers, claiming that 16 of their close relatives who had converted to Christianity were among the deceased.
“One can only know their family. From both my father’s and mother’s sides, over 16 people were lost…” they mentioned, noting that the death toll could reach “up to 30.”
Local residents described the attack, which occurred between 5:00 and 6:00 AM, as a “massacre.”
Another resident recounted that “whole families” perished, including his aunt and uncle.
The sources estimated the total number of deaths at “30”; they also mentioned that a “christened child,” reportedly in his grandfather’s arms, miraculously survived unscathed.
A relative confirmed to the BBC that the child was unharmed, stating, “God saved him [the child]; nothing was touched,” despite the loss of the child’s entire family, including his parents.
A cleric, recounting the identity of the victims, mentioned observing smoke and rushing to the site. He highlighted the local custom of traveling by truck for religious journeys, noting that the vehicle belonged to a family of Christian pilgrims.
Upon arriving, they discovered bodies ranging from children to the elderly.
Another witness described the scene as “high risk” with many injured.
A religious leader reported “20” injuries; the injured were transported to Gauna and Sasit health centers.
A Gauna health center expert, preferring anonymity, confirmed to the BBC that 18 injured individuals were treated there. The expert noted that three of the injured, including the driver, succumbed to their injuries shortly after arrival.
“They were critically injured upon arrival, including the driver. Despite our efforts, the children and the driver passed away immediately,” the expert said.
Four of the fifteen injured were referred to Debre Berhan for further treatment, while the rest are receiving care at the health center.
Local residents reported no conflict between government forces and Fano militants at the attack site. However, in the days leading up to the attack, it was noted that government forces had entered Sela Keng, located 72 kilometers from Debre Berhan, the capital of the North Showa Zone.
Intense fighting was reported in the city on Monday; Fano militants in the vicinity stated they had retreated to rural areas.
The site of the drone strike was approximately 23 kilometers from the conflict zone.
The cleric suggested the attack was “accidental,” given the absence of conflict in the area, and mentioned challenges in retrieving and identifying the bodies until 8:30 PM.
The dead were wrapped in “sheets and blankets” due to the severe injuries making them difficult to move.
After the attack, those retrieving the bodies feared a repeat incident. A resident described the drone “circling” the area, complicating the retrieval of the bodies and the wounded.
The burial of the deceased occurred on the day of the attack and the following day at the churches of Kora Sera Mariam, Tekle Hemani, and Washa Mariam.
A bereaved relative expressed profound grief, noting the widespread fear in the area.
“The shock is immense… dealing with the loss is extremely challenging. Such an event is unprecedented in our country, causing widespread panic. The defense is now active in the area, and residents are staying indoors,” they said.
Despite inquiries, the BBC learned that district administrators had vacated the area and that Fano had been present for months.
The United Nations Human Rights Commission has previously expressed concern over drone strikes in the Amhara region amid ongoing conflict.
A statement from the commission a few months ago highlighted grave concerns over the extensive damage inflicted by drone attacks and other conflicts on the region’s inhabitants.
Notably, a drone strike allegedly executed by government forces on a primary school in North Showa Wadera district in mid-October resulted in seven deaths, including three teachers. Additionally, at the end of October, a drone attack at a bus station in Waber town of East Gojam zone claimed the lives of 13 individuals awaiting a bus.
The conflict between government forces and Fano militants in the Amhara region has persisted for the past six months, with repeated reports of civilian casualties.
Amidst the conflict, human rights organizations continue to raise alarms over extrajudicial killings of civilians.
