At least 71 people have died in Ethiopia after a truck packed with passengers plunged into a river, according to the spokesperson for the southern Sidama regional government and a statement.

The death toll from a road accident in southern Ethiopia has risen to at least 71 after a vehicle carrying a wedding party veered into a river, a local official said. - Perilous roads - Road accidents are common in Ethiopia,

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

Traffic police reported the truck was overloaded, which likely caused the accident. Read more at straitstimes.com.

At least 71 people died in Ethiopia when a truck packed with passengers plunged into a river, according to the spokesperson for the southern Sidama regional government and a statement.

Türkiye on Monday extended its condolences to Ethiopia over a road accident that claimed the lives of 71 people. “We extend our condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and to the people of Ethiopia,” a Foreign Ministry statement said.

Official said driver lost control of vehicle, which was carrying 76 people, when trying to turn a tight bend ahead of a bridge on Sunday.