Seventeen people were killed in a bus accident in western Ethiopia Monday, according to local officials.

A 45-seater bus was traversing from the towns of Shambu to Nekemte in West Oromia when it veered and overturned due to unspecified trouble with the vehicle, local Fana quoted Desalegn Teferra, head of the zonal communications office, as saying.

The bus was carrying passengers beyond its capacity, according to Fana.

Both the driver and assistant were among the dead, it said, adding the some of the victims were not passengers but bystanders.

The wounded are under medical care in nearby health centers and hospitals.

The bus was reportedly old. (Anadolu)