Bus Crash Kills At Least 42
A tragic accident occurred in South Africa when a passenger bus veered off an embankment, resulting in the deaths of at least 42 individuals, including workers from Malawi and Zimbabwe, according to authorities on Monday.
The bus was en route to Zimbabwe when it crashed about 90 kilometers (55 miles) from the border on Sunday, after the driver seemingly lost control, as reported by Limpopo province’s transport minister, Violet Mathye.
“A reported 42 travellers died in the incident,” South Africa’s presidency said.
Mathye reported that among the deceased was a 10-month-old girl.
Currently, thirty-eight individuals are hospitalized, and rescuers are actively searching for more victims, she added.
President Cyril Ramaphosa described the crash as a tragedy affecting all three nations and urged everyone on the road to take extra precautions for their safety.
“This sadness is compounded by the fact that this incident has taken place during our annual transport month, where we place special focus on the importance of safety on our roads,” he said in a statement.
A bus was making its way from the southern city of Gqeberha, which is about 1,500 kilometers away, carrying passengers from Malawi and Zimbabwe who were working in South Africa.
According to the minister, the crash might have been due to driver fatigue or a mechanical issue.
South Africa boasts a complex and bustling road network, but it also has a troublingly high rate of road fatalities, primarily attributed to speeding, reckless driving, and vehicles that aren’t roadworthy. Ignorance has also led to many fatalities when drivers are not keen while driving on the roads.
Just last year, a tragic incident occurred when a bus, mostly filled with Botswana nationals heading to an Easter church gathering, veered off the road and fell into a ravine in northeastern Limpopo province. The only survivor was an eight-year-old girl.
Bus Crash Kills At Least 42
