At least 71 people have tragically died in southern Ethiopia after a lorry plunged into a river on Sunday. The vehicle, which was traveling through Sidama state, fell into the river after missing a bridge, according to local officials.

Wosenyeleh Simion, a regional official, reported that many of the passengers were guests returning from a wedding party. The Sidama Police Commission Traffic Prevention and Control Directorate confirmed that 68 of the deceased were men, while three were women.

The accident occurred in the district of Bona, where blurred images shared on Facebook by the state health bureau show rescue efforts, with people attempting to pull the damaged vehicle from the water. Other images show bodies, some covered with blue tarpaulins, lying on the ground.

Initial investigations suggest that the lorry was overloaded, which may have contributed to the tragic incident. Local authorities are continuing their probe into the cause of the crash.

Ethiopia experiences a high number of road accidents each year, often attributed to over-speeding and disregard for traffic regulations. This latest incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers on the roads and the importance of road safety.

Further details are expected as investigations continue into this devastating event.