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At least 78 people killed as truck flips in the Central African Republic

It is believed the truck, which was carrying many traders, was speeding to make it to the market on time.

Supporters of a presidential candidate in CAR ride on a flatbed lorry, in an incident unrelated to the crash
Image: Trucks are often loaded with many people in the country. This vehicle was not involved in the crash. File pic
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At least 78 people have been killed after an overloaded truck flipped on the way to a market in the Central African Republic.

The truck - heavily loaded with passengers and goods - was travelling at high speed when it overturned outside the central town of Bambari.

Many of those killed were traders heading to the weekly market in the village of Maloum.

"They were driving fast to make it to the market on time. That's what probably caused the accident," a member of parliament from Bambari, Amaseka Topi, told Reuters.

At least 72 people were also injured in the crash.

Hubert Tchenebou, who lives near the crash site, told the AFP news agency it was not the first time an accident involving an overloaded truck had happened in the area.

"There are police and UN forces but they let vehicles pass on which people are perched like birds," he said.

More on Central African Republic

The Central African Republic has been riven by war and violence after rebels ousted the country's president in 2013, provoking a backlash from militias.

The turmoil has left thousands dead and the country's infrastructure in tatters.