A devastating bus accident occurred on a steep mountain pass in northern South Africa, killing at least 42 people and injuring 49 others, authorities said. The crash happened on Sunday evening around 6 p.m. on the N1 highway near the town of Louis Trichardt, about 400 kilometres north of Pretoria. The bus was traveling to Zimbabwe and was carrying nationals from Zimbabwe and Malawi who were returning to their home countries.
The Transport Ministry reported that the victims included seven children, 17 men and 18 women. Six people were critically injured, while 31 others suffered serious injuries and were taken to several hospitals. One critically injured child was airlifted for further treatment. Images released by officials showed the bus upside down in an embankment, with rescuers searching for victims. Rescue operations continued late into Sunday night under the oversight of the Limpopo provincial government.
The cause of the crash is unknown and is under investigation. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa offered condolences to Zimbabwe and Malawi, expressing sadness over the loss of life. He noted that the incident occurred during the country’s annual Transport Month, which highlights the importance of road safety.
This tragedy follows a similar bus crash in the same Limpopo province last year that claimed 45 lives, underscoring the need for stronger safety measures on hazardous routes such as the N1 highway. As the investigation proceeds, authorities are expected to review safety protocols and regulations to prevent future incidents. The international community is likely to follow developments closely, given the involvement of multiple countries and the significant loss of life.
Comments are closed for this story.