Ethiopia :Tragic death of two young reporters

(By Elias Meseret-Capital)It is with great sadness that Capital reports the two tragic deaths, and one severe injury, of a young international team of journalists in a car accident near Hosanna in southern Ethiopia last Sunday.
Portuguese national Carina Barroca died instantly while her Italian colleague, Stephanie Acri, passed away while on the way to hospital in Butajira.
Stanislas de Cabrol, who is French, suffered severe spinal injuries and is being treated at Pompidou Hospital in Paris.
The details of the accident are not known, but all three were thrown from the Suzuki Vitara they were travelling in. It is known that the car needed a tyre repaired when in Arba Minch. Witnesses reported that no other vehicles were involved.
The international team of journalists with World Investment News, which is based in the US, came to Ethiopia a few weeks ago to prepare a special economic report to be published in the American magazine, US News & World Report.
The team intended to shed light on the economic realities of Ethiopia and, in doing so, help to create a positive image of the country.
Before the tragic event, the trio had met Prime Minister Meles Zenawi on May 1 and asked him a number of questions relating to the war in Somalia, the wild inflation in the country, the investment conditions in Ethiopia and his plans for the forthcoming national election.
They also talked to the ministers of mines and energy, water resources, tourism and culture and trade and industry.
The dynamic group of journalists left an unforgettable memory on the staff of Capital whom they met recently. Capital’s employees were happy to assist them in everything they needed because of their energy and good intentions.
Stanislas is currently in intensive care. A first assessment indicated that if he survives, he will be paralysed.
Friends who accompanied him to Bole International Airport complained his chartered flight’s departure from Ethiopia was delayed, possibly leading him to contract an infection that necessitated a stop in Germany.
Capital would like to express its sincere condolence to the friends and families of Stephanie, Carina and Stanislas. (By Elias Meseret-Capital)