42 Dead in Limpopo Bus Crash in One of South Africa’s Worst Road Tragedies
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The fatal accident involving Zimbabwean and Malawian passengers occurred on a steep mountain pass, sparking nationwide grief and renewed calls for road safety.
A devastating bus accident in northern South Africa has claimed at least 42 lives and left 49 others injured, after the vehicle veered off the road and plunged down an embankment on a steep mountain pass.
The crash occurred around 6 p.m. Sunday on the N1 highway near Louis Trichardt, approximately 400 kilometers north of Pretoria. Emergency teams worked through the night to rescue survivors from the wreckage.
Victims Include Children and Families
According to the Transport Ministry, the victims included seven children, 17 men, and 18 women. Rescue operations revealed harrowing scenes as emergency crews pulled out both survivors and bodies from under the overturned blue bus.
Six passengers were critically injured, while 31 sustained serious injuries and were transported to nearby hospitals. One critically injured child was airlifted for urgent medical attention.
Rescue Teams Work Overnight
Images released by authorities showed the bus lying upside down in a deep embankment as rescue teams searched for victims. The Limpopo provincial government confirmed that operations extended late into Sunday night to ensure no one was left trapped beneath the vehicle.
The crash is being described as one of the deadliest transport accidents in Limpopo province in recent years.
Passengers Were Headed to Zimbabwe
Authorities confirmed that the bus was traveling to Zimbabwe and was carrying Zimbabwean and Malawian nationals returning to their home countries. Officials said the cause of the crash remains under investigation, but the steep terrain and possible driver error are being considered.
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The accident has reignited concerns over the safety of long-distance buses on mountainous routes.
President Ramaphosa Sends Condolences
In a statement, Cyril Ramaphosa offered “deep condolences to the nations of Zimbabwe and Malawi who have lost compatriots” in the tragedy.
“This sadness is compounded by the fact that this incident has taken place during our annual Transport Month, where we place a special focus on the importance of safety on our roads,” he said.
A Tragic Pattern of Fatal Bus Crashes
This disaster comes just one year after 45 people died in another bus accident in Limpopo, when their vehicle veered off a bridge into a ravine. An 8-year-old girl was the only survivor of that crash, which involved passengers from Botswana traveling to an Easter church gathering.
Road safety experts say these repeated tragedies highlight urgent infrastructure and enforcement challenges in South Africa’s intercity transport system.
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