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29 March 2024

Ethiopian woman stabbed on bus makes first trip home… in coffin

Published
By VM Sathish

Ethiopian consulate and community in the UAE held a special prayer service in Dubai for the young Ethiopian woman stabbed to death on a bus.

Sebele Mekonen, who arrived in Dubai five years ago, had not gone home since, and now, her first trip back home is in a coffin. The body has since been repatriated.

The Ethiopian Consul General in Dubai, Yibeltal Aemero Alemu, told 'Emirates24|7' that the victim of stabbing has been identified as Sebele Mekonen from Adis Ababa. 
 


Sebele Mekonen's body has since been repatriated. (Supplied)

"Forensic investigation is going on. It is a very unfortunate incident and we are following the case seriously.

“We have full trust in the UAE judicial system to ensure that justice is done to the victim and her family.

“Even though she was living as an undocumented housemaid in the UAE, she is an Ethiopian citizen and justice will be done,” said the Consul General.

“We are working closely with Dubai Police,” he said.

The victim is survived by her parents and a brother, who live in Adis Ababa.

Meanwhile, KG, an Ethiopian female friend of the deceased, said, "I called her at about 3.54pm on Wednesday (September 2) when she said she was in bus number 8 and was coming home soon. She was hungry and wanted me to cook macaroni with cheese.

“I called her again after ten minutes, but she did not answer the phone. I continued calling on her mobile phone until Thursday and then we approached various police stations. “Since she does not have valid documents, her passport number was not registered and after a week, we went to the Bur Dubai Police Station with all the details, including her picture," she said.

“One official informed us that she was stabbed to death by another woman,” added KG.

“She has been living with me for three years and she was more than a friend, she was a sister to me. She was always caring and cheerful. We will miss her,” said another girl who was her roommate.