In South Africa, just days before Easter, a bus crash on Thursday (Mar 28) claimed the lives of 45 pilgrims travelling to an Easter service. The bus carrying 46 people was travelling from Botswana’s capital, Gaborone, to an Easter service in the town of Moria in the north of South Africa.
As per reports, an eight-year-old child is the sole survivor of the tragedy.
What happened?
As per a statement by the nation’s transport ministry, the bus driver is believed to have lost control of the vehicle. It said this caused the bus to go over the bridge and hit the ground, catching fire.
“It is alleged that the driver lost control, colliding with barriers on the bridge causing the bus to go over the bridge and hitting the ground, where it caught fire,” it said.
The tragic accident happened near Mmamatlakala in Limpopo province, about 190 miles (305 km) north of Johannesburg, where the bus fell from a bridge linking two hillsides.
Lone Survivor
An eight-year-old child, the only passenger to survive the bus crash, was in a seriously injured condition. In a statement, Limpopo’s Department of Transport revealed that the child whose identity is yet to be revealed was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.
The provincial department, as reported by Reuters, said that the bodies of some passengers have been burnt beyond recognition in the accident, while others were trapped by the debris or scattered over the crash scene.
While the bus had Botswana number plates, the nationality of the passengers was still being checked.
Condolences
Sindisiwe Chikunga, the transport minister, visited the site of the crash. As per BBC, there, Chikunga said that the South African government would help repatriate the bodies and also conduct a full inquiry into the crash.
Extending her “heartfelt condolences to the families affected by the tragic bus crash,” she said, “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,” she added.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa as per his office has also sent his condolences to Botswana and has pledged support to the country.
While South Africa has one of Africa’s most developed road networks, its safety record is among one of the worst.
(With inputs from agencies)
