CAPE TOWN, South Africa – A tragic accident occurred on Thursday when a bus carrying passengers to an Easter festival veered off a bridge and plummeted approximately 200 feet in South Africa’s Limpopo province. The devastating incident claimed the lives of at least 45 people, according to authorities.
The ill-fated bus was transporting passengers from Botswana to the town of Moria for the highly anticipated Easter pilgrimage. As the bus traversed the Mmamatlakala bridge, it suddenly careened off the side, hurtling into a ravine and erupting into flames. Despite the severity of the crash, one miraculous survivor emerged from the wreckage: an 8-year-old child who sustained serious injuries and was promptly transferred for medical treatment.
The Limpopo provincial government confirmed that recovery efforts are still underway, with first responders working tirelessly to retrieve bodies from the charred remains of the vehicle. Due to the extent of the fire, many of the bodies are unrecognizable, further complicating identification processes.
Authorities suspect that the driver lost control of the bus moments before it veered off the bridge. Tragically, the driver was among those who perished in the accident. An investigation into the crash is currently ongoing to ascertain the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga expressed her condolences to the families affected by this devastating tragedy. She intends to visit the crash site personally, as stated by the Department of Transport.
As investigations continue, authorities aim to uncover the cause of this devastating event, providing closure to the families of the victims and taking steps to prevent similar accidents in the future.