South Africa was struck by tragedy as a bus crash claimed the lives of forty-five individuals, leaving behind an eight-year-old girl as the sole survivor.
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The horrific incident occurred when the bus, transporting pilgrims from Botswana’s capital Gaborone to an Easter service in Moria, veered off a bridge and plunged approximately 50 meters (165 feet) into a ravine in the north-eastern Limpopo province.
The bus, carrying passengers on a religious journey, crashed through a barrier and erupted in flames upon impact with the ground along the Mmamatlakala mountain pass between Mokopane and Marken, approximately 300 kilometers (190 miles) north of Johannesburg.
According to reports from South African public broadcaster SABC, rescue efforts continued late into the evening on Thursday, March 28, 2024, with some victims difficult to reach amidst the wreckage.
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Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga, upon visiting the crash site, expressed her deepest condolences to the affected families and pledged government support for repatriating the bodies and conducting a thorough investigation into the cause of the tragedy.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time,” Chikunga remarked, emphasizing the importance of responsible driving and heightened alertness, especially during the Easter weekend when road traffic increases.
The incident underscores South Africa’s ongoing road safety challenges, prompting President Cyril Ramaphosa to urge citizens to prioritize safety and vigilance during the holiday season.
“Let us do our best to make this a safe Easter,” Ramaphosa urged in a statement, emphasizing the collective effort needed to prevent further tragedies on the nation’s roads
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