A tragic train accident in eastern Ethiopia has left 15 people dead and dozens injured, according to local officials. The incident occurred on Monday night in the town of Shinile, where a moving train derailed before colliding with a stationary train. Passengers were forced to leap from the carriages to escape the chaos, with many sustaining injuries in the process. Local media images revealed overturned and crushed carriages, painting a grim picture of the scene. District Commissioner Jibril Omar attributed the crash to the train’s poor condition, citing its age and inability to handle heavy loads. Overloading was also identified as a significant contributing factor. The train, which was transporting both passengers and cargo such as rice, pasta, and cooking oil, was en route from Dewele to Dire Dawa when the accident occurred. Mohammed Adem, a spokesperson for the Somali regional government, confirmed that all deceased and injured individuals had been recovered from the site. An investigation into the cause of the collision has been initiated. Train accidents are relatively uncommon in Ethiopia, Africa’s second most populous nation. The Somali region, where the crash took place, is one of Ethiopia’s largest and is primarily inhabited by ethnic Somalis. The rescue mission has since been completed, according to regional authorities.