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.

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

At least 71 people were killed after a truck full of passengers plunged into a river in southern Ethiopia over the weekend. The truck fell into a river on Sunday evening in the Bona district of Sidama state, around 300km south of the capital Addis Ababa, the regional communication bureau said.

At least 66 people have died after a truck plunged into a river in southern Ethiopia, a hospital director said Monday. The accident took place Sunday when an old, overcrowded truck that was contracted by wedding guests fell off the Gelan Bridge,

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.