A tragic road accident in southern Ethiopia has claimed the lives of at least 71 people, including 68 males and three females, according to local authorities.

The Sidama Police Commission Traffic Prevention and Control Directorate confirmed the grim toll in a Facebook post on Sunday evening, citing Chief Inspector Daniel Sankura. The accident occurred at approximately 5:30 pm local time (1430 GMT) when a vehicle veered off the road and plunged into a river in Sidama state, around 300 kilometers (180 miles) south of the capital, Addis Ababa.

The post also revealed that two individuals sustained serious injuries, though further details about the number of passengers aboard the vehicle at the time of the incident remain unavailable.

The accident took place in the Eastern Zone of Sidama state, specifically in Bona Zuria Woreda. Images shared by the local health bureau depicted the aftermath, showing bystanders attempting to retrieve the vehicle from the river. Other images displayed bodies, some shrouded in blue tarpaulin, lying on the ground near the accident site.

Ethiopia, Africa's second-most populous nation, frequently grapples with road accidents attributed to poorly maintained roads and safety lapses. This tragic incident underscores the urgent need for improved road infrastructure and heightened road safety measures across the country.

Authorities are continuing their investigation into the cause of the accident. (ILKHA)