42 dead in major South African bus crash

Forty-two people have been killed after a passenger bus overturned on the highway outside Louis Trichardt in Limpopo on Sunday evening.

The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) said that the crash occurred when a bus overturned on N1 near Ingwe Lodge.

The casualties include:

• 7 children;
• 17 adult males; and
• 18 adult females.

According to reports, 6 people on board the bus were critically injured, 31 seriously injured, and 12 slightly injured. They were transported to Louis Trichardt, Tshilidzini, Siloam and Elim hospitals.

The RTMC said that it has sent a team of crash investigators to Limpopo to establish the cause of a major bus crash.

According to preliminary reports, the bus is believed to have been transporting passengers from Zimbabwe and Malawi who were travelling from the Eastern Cape to their home countries.

It then veered off the road along a steep mountain pass and plunged down an embankment.

The provincial government said that investigations led by traffic authorities and the South African Police Service are currently underway to determine the cause of the crash.

Traffic flow on the road is affected by ongoing investigations. Motorists are advised to be patient. 

“This is a heartbreaking tragedy. Losing so many lives in one incident is painful beyond words,” said Premier Phophi Ramathuba.

“On behalf of the Limpopo Provincial Government, we extend our deepest condolences to the affected families, including those in Zimbabwe and Malawi.”

“We wish a full and speedy recovery to all survivors. Our thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult time.”