Addis Ababa, (ANN)-Eighteen civilians have been killed and several others injured when an army truck crashed into a minibus in northern Ethiopia, local media report.

The accident in Amhara state happened in the morning, the state-affiliated Fana Broadcasting Corporate said.

Despite having one of the world’s lowest per capita car ownership rates, deadly accidents are common in Ethiopia and often blamed on poor road and car maintenance and lax enforcement of safety rules.

More around 4,500 people died in the 12 months up to July this year, according to government statistics.

(Source: AFP)