ADDIS ABABA, July 26 (Xinhua) -- Chief Engineer of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), Simegnew Bekele, was found dead in his own car early Thursday, state broadcaster Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation (EBC) reported.

According to the report, police are currently undertaking investigations around Meskel Square in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa, where his body was found inside his own car in the early hours of Thursday morning.

Bekele, who is a well-regarded engineer in the East African nation with a strong contribution to the country's energy production endeavors, has been the chief engineer of Ethiopia's grand dam since its construction was commenced in April 2011 on the Blue Nile River.

The 6,450 MW hydro dam project, which will be regarded as Africa's largest dam upon completion, is currently 66 percent complete, according to the Ethiopian government.