Local authorities have verified that on Wednesday, a bus in southern Ethiopia veered off the road and into a river, resulting in at least 28 fatalities and 19 critical injuries.

The tragedy happened in the Wolaita district, around 250 miles (or 400 kilometres) south of Addis Ababa, the capital.

The bus, which skidded down a steep hill, was badly damaged, with the roof ripped off by the crash, according to local officials.

Authorities have not yet ascertained the exact number of passengers on board at the time of the disaster, therefore rescue and search efforts are still in progress.

Pictures of the bus floating in the river with significant structural damage were circulated on social media. It is still unknown what caused the accident.

According to the authorities, there are ongoing efforts being made to recover other victims from the area.