At Least 42 Killed in Limpopo Bus Tragedy
By Faith Jepleting
At least 42 people have died and nearly 50 others were injured after a passenger bus plunged down a steep embankment along the N1 highway near Makhado in Limpopo province on Sunday evening.
According to local authorities, the bus was travelling from Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape towards Zimbabwe and Malawi when it lost control on a mountainous stretch of road.
Emergency teams worked through the night to recover bodies and rescue survivors trapped in the wreckage. Limpopo’s transport department confirmed that 49 passengers were injured, six critically, with several others sustaining serious to minor injuries.
“This is one of the worst road tragedies we’ve witnessed in recent months. Our hearts go out to the families of those who lost loved ones,” said a provincial transport official.
Among the deceased were seven children. Most of the passengers were Zimbabwean and Malawian nationals, officials reported.
President Cyril Ramaphosa extended condolences to the victims’ families and pledged government support for those affected, including assistance with repatriation.
“We mourn with our neighbours and stand ready to support the repatriation efforts for those who perished,” the president said in a statement.
While investigations are ongoing, preliminary findings suggest that driver fatigue or mechanical failure may have contributed to the crash.
The section of the N1 highway where the accident occurred is notorious for steep inclines and sharp bends, and has been the site of multiple fatal crashes in recent years.
Road safety experts are calling for stricter enforcement of long-distance transport regulations and more rigorous safety inspections for passenger buses.
Authorities are urging motorists to exercise extreme caution, particularly when navigating mountainous routes known for high accident rates.
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