Authorities in South Africa report that forty-five individuals have died after the bus they were travelling in plummeted approximately 50 metres off a bridge into a ravine. The sole survivor of the bus crash, an eight-year-old girl, sustained serious injuries and was rushed to the hospital for treatment.
The tragic incident occurred when the bus crashed through a barrier and burst into flames upon impact with the ground in the northeastern province of Limpopo.
The passengers were pilgrims en route from Botswana’s capital, Gaborone, to attend an Easter service in the town of Moria.
According to South African public broadcaster SABC, the vehicle lost control and veered off a bridge on the Mmamatlakala mountain pass between Mokopane and Marken, approximately 300 kilometres north of Johannesburg.
Rescue efforts persisted late into Thursday evening, with some victims reportedly difficult to reach amidst the wreckage.
Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga, upon visiting the crash site, expressed her heartfelt condolences to the families affected by the tragic bus crash and assured that the South African government would facilitate the repatriation of the bodies and conduct a thorough inquiry into the cause of the accident.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time,” she remarked, urging responsible driving and heightened alertness, especially during the busy Easter weekend.
South Africa’s road safety record has been concerning, prompting President Cyril Ramaphosa to reaffirm the importance of ensuring a safe Easter in an earlier message, urging citizens to take proactive measures to prevent road accidents and tragedies.