Wednesday April 23, 2025
Beledweyne (HOL) — At least two teenagers were killed and 32 Somali soldiers injured in a road accident on Tuesday in the Ali Ganey area of the Hiiraan region, local residents confirmed.
According to witnesses, the accident occurred when a military transport vehicle, commonly known as a Biijii, lost control while speeding around a sharp bend and veered into a populated area.
“The vehicle was moving at a high speed. When it reached a turning point, the driver lost control, and the truck plowed into a busy area,” said a resident of Ali Ganey. “Three boys tried to run away, but two of them, both aged 15, were hit. The vehicle also crashed into shops and caused serious damage.”
Residents said 32 soldiers who were traveling in the vehicle sustained injuries. They were taken to a local Maternal and Child Health (MCH) facility for treatment, though residents reported that the clinic lacks sufficient medical supplies to treat all of the wounded.
The incident marks the deadliest traffic accident reported in the Hiiraan region so far this year. Locals blamed both reckless driving and poor road conditions for the tragedy.
Local authorities have yet to release an official statement on the accident.
