No fewer than 71 people died in Ethiopia when a truck packed with passengers plunged into a river.

Spokesperson for the southern Sidama regional government, Wosenyeleh Simion, disclosed this in a statement late Sunday, saying the accident occurred in the Bona district.

According to him, at least 71 people had died, including 68 males and 3 females.

“Five are in a critical condition and taking treatment at Bona General Hospital,” he said.