Updated

Swaziland's government says 13 people died in a road accident taking young women to the annual Reed Dance festival.

A statement released by the government spokesman on Monday said 13 people were killed, including three men. Ten girls and women, aged between 11 and 19, were also killed. The statement said five more girls were still in hospital.

The crash happened on Friday, when a truck carrying dozens of girls and young women to the annual festival collided with two other vehicles.

A rights group, the Swaziland Solidarity Network, accused the government of understating the fatalities in the crash. The group initially reported that 38 people died in the accident and later increased the death toll to 65.

Despite the crash, the festival continued with thousands of young women participating.