Authorities in South Africa are mourning the loss of forty-five individuals who tragically lost their lives when the bus they were traveling in veered off a bridge, plummeting approximately 50 meters into a ravine.
The only survivor, an eight-year-old girl, sustained severe injuries and was rushed to the hospital for treatment.
The fatal incident occurred in the northeastern province of Limpopo, where the bus, carrying passengers en route from Gaborone, Botswana, to Moria for an Easter service, crashed through a barrier and ignited upon impact with the ground.
According to reports from South African public broadcaster SABC, the vehicle lost control on the Mmamatlakala mountain pass between Mokopane and Marken, about 300 kilometers north of Johannesburg.
Rescue efforts persisted late into the evening, hampered by the difficult terrain and debris obstructing access to some of the victims.
Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga expressed her condolences to the affected families and assured them that the government would facilitate the repatriation of the deceased and conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the accident.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time,” she stated, emphasizing the importance of responsible driving, particularly during the busy Easter weekend.
South Africa’s road safety challenges are well-documented, prompting President Cyril Ramaphosa to issue a plea for heightened vigilance in his Easter message.
He urged citizens to actively contribute to making the holiday period safe, emphasizing the need to prevent tragedies and injuries on the roads.
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