NAIROBI, Dec 30, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - The death toll from a road accident in
southern Ethiopia has risen to at least 71, according to a local police
official.

In a Facebook post late Sunday, the Sidama Police Commission Traffic
Prevention and Control Directorate said that "68 males and three females are
known to have died in the accident so far", citing Chief Inspector Daniel
Sankura.

The police commission said the incident occurred at around 5:30 pm local time
(1430 GMT) when the vehicle plunged off a road and into a river.

The post added that "two others have sustained heavy physical injuries", but
did not detail any further information about the number of passengers onboard
at the time of the incident.

The accident occurred in Sidama state -- some 300 kilometres (180 miles)
south of the capital Addis Ababa -- in the Eastern Zone, in Bona Zuria
Woreda.

Blurred images shared by the health bureau earlier showed a mass of people
surrounding a vehicle, partially submerged in water, with many seemingly
attempting to help pull it from the waters.

Other images shared by the bureau appeared to show bodies, some covered in
blue tarpaulin, lying on the ground.

Road accidents are common in Ethiopia, Africa's second most populous nation,
where roads are often poorly maintained.