45 people died after the bus they were travelling in plunged 164 feet into a ravine near Mamatlakala in the Limpopo province in South Africa on March 28, 2024.
The Limpopo Department of Transportation and Community Safety said, in a statement on Facebook that the bus was believed to be carrying people who were travelling to attend an Easter weekend church service in the town of Moira.
However, an 8-year-old girl was reported to have survived the incident and was rushed to the hospital nursing serious injuries.
“The driver lost control, and the bus fell onto a rocky surface some 50 meters [164 feet] under the bridge and caught fire,” read the Facebook announcement.
The authorities indicated that it had commenced investigations to identify the citizenship of the deceased.
“The bus had a total of 46 people on board, including the Driver. It has a Botswana registration number, and a process to confirm the citizenship of the victims will only commence, after the foreign missions of both South Africa and Botswana had verified their citizenships,” the statement read.
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According to reports, the Moira bound bus crashed through a barrier and burst into flames on impact with the ground.
South Africa Rescue Mission
In addition, rescue operations that persisted through the night revealed that some of the bodies were burnt beyond recognition, others were trapped inside the wreckage and others were scattered on the scene on the crash.
The transport minister Sindiswe Chikunga conveyed her condolences and urged drivers to be alert and drive responsibly.
“I am sending my heartfelt condolences to the families affected by the tragic bus crash near Mamatlakala. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.”
“We continue to urge responsible driving at all times with heightened alertness as more people are on our roads this Easter weekend.”
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Similarly, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa conveyed his sympathies to Botswana and pledged support to the country, his office said in a statement.
