Nairobi: At least 71 people have died after a road accident in southern Ethiopia, 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.

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Sidama state is in the south of Ethiopia, some 300 kilometres (180 miles) south of the capital Addis Ababa. The incident occurred in the Eastern Zone, Gelana bridge in Bona Zuria Woreda, according to the bureau. "Four injured passengers are receiving medical treatment at the Bona General Hospital," it added.

Blurred images shared by the health bureau 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.

The bureau expressed its condolences to the families of the victims of the crash, and said it would share more information later. There was little additional information, including the number of vehicles involved or the total number of passengers on board at the time of the incident.

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

Agency