The death toll from a tragic road accident in southern Ethiopia has climbed to at least 71, according to local police officials.

In a Facebook post late Sunday, the Sidama Police Commission Traffic Prevention and Control Directorate reported that "68 males and three females have been confirmed dead so far," citing Chief Inspector Daniel Sankura.

The accident occurred at approximately 5:30 PM local time (1430 GMT) when a vehicle veered off the road and plunged into a river. According to the commission, two additional individuals sustained severe injuries, though no further details were provided about the total number of passengers onboard.

The incident took place in Sidama state, around 300 kilometers (180 miles) south of the capital, Addis Ababa, in the Eastern Zone's Bona Zuria Woreda.

Images shared by the local health bureau showed harrowing scenes, including a partially submerged vehicle surrounded by people attempting to pull it from the river. Other images depicted bodies, some covered with blue tarpaulins, lying on the ground near the accident site.

Road accidents are a frequent occurrence in Ethiopia, Africa's second most populous nation, where poorly maintained roads and vehicles are common challenges.

Authorities are yet to release additional information as investigations into the cause of the accident continue.