Regional traffic police reported that the truck was overloaded, which is believed to have likely caused the accident.

At least 71 people lost their lives in Ethiopia when a truck carrying passengers to a wedding plunged into a river. The tragic accident occurred on Sunday in the Bona district of the southern Sidama region, according to a statement by the regional communication bureau and the spokesperson for the Sidama regional government.

The victims included 68 males and 3 females. Wosenyeleh Simion, the regional government spokesperson, revealed that the passengers were wedding guests, with some families suffering multiple losses. The state-run Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation (EBC) also confirmed that the passengers were en route to a wedding when the accident happened.

According to regional traffic police, the truck was overloaded, a factor believed to have contributed to the crash. Wosenyeleh explained that the truck missed a bridge and plunged into the river, noting that the road in the area is characterized by many sharp bends.

Five individuals are currently in critical condition and receiving treatment at Bona General Hospital.

Ethiopia has a history of deadly traffic accidents, often attributed to poor driving standards and poorly maintained vehicles. In 2018, at least 38 people, mostly students, died when a bus fell into a ravine in the country’s mountainous north.