Tragic Bus Crash Claims Dozens of Lives in South Africa
In a devastating incident in South Africa’s Limpopo province, a bus carrying worshippers to an Easter conference careened off a cliff, resulting in the loss of 45 lives and leaving one person critically injured, the country’s transport department confirmed.
The only survivor, an eight-year-old girl, was airlifted to the hospital, as reported by the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC). The passengers on board were pilgrims en route from Gaborone, Botswana’s capital, to a church for the Easter conference.
The fatal crash occurred in the treacherous Mamatlakala mountain pass between Mokopane and Marken, with the bus igniting in flames upon impact.
An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the tragedy. The province’s transport department stated, “According to reports, the driver lost control and the bus plummeted onto a rocky surface, some 50 meters below the bridge, before catching fire.”
Efforts to retrieve the deceased passengers’ bodies are ongoing, with some bodies burnt beyond recognition and others trapped in the wreckage or scattered at the scene.
South African Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga expressed condolences to the affected families and announced plans to repatriate the bodies to Botswana. Chikunga emphasized the importance of responsible driving, especially during the Easter weekend when more people are on the roads.
Our hearts go out to the families impacted by this tragic bus crash near Mamatlakala. Let us keep them in our thoughts and prayers during this challenging time,” Chikunga said in a statement. — CNN
