Addis Ababa: A tragic incident unfolded at the Fencha sugar mill, where a group of unidentified individuals launched a severe attack, resulting in the loss of 14 lives, according to the Ethiopian Sugar Industry Group (ESIG).
Reports from various media outlets indicate that among the casualties, 11 were mill workers, while three were local residents.
Reta Demeke, the Public Relations Head of ESIG, expressed his dismay, stating that the mill had previously experienced multiple attacks but none as devastating as this.
Covering an extensive area of 67,000 hectares, the sugarcane plantation associated with the mill suffered huge damage due to the assault. Additionally, the attackers took advantage of the chaos to loot sugar and cause further destruction to the mill’s property.
The mill, with a production capacity of 270,000 tonnes of sugar, has ceased all operations since the attack occurred, leaving the local community and the sugar industry in a state of shock and mourning.
