Forty-five people have died in South Africa after the bus they were in plunged about 50 metres off a bridge into a ravine in the north-eastern Limpopo province, authorities have confirmed. The only survivor, an eight-year-old girl, sustained serious injuries but is now in a stable condition in hospital.
The bus crashed through a barrier and caught fire upon impact. According to the South African public broadcaster SABC, the vehicle lost control on the Mmamatlakala mountain pass between Mokopane and Marken, around 300 kilometres north of Johannesburg. The passengers were pilgrims travelling from Botswana's capital, Gaborone, to an Easter service in the town of Moria.
Department of Transport spokesperson Colin Msibi told the BBC that the girl was likely ejected from the bus when it hit the bridge barrier, which saved her life. Rescue operations continued late into Thursday evening and resumed on Friday morning. Limpopo health official Phophi Ramathuba said that body parts from separate victims may have fused together in the fire, explaining why only nine bodies have been identified so far from 34 body bags recovered at the scene.
Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga visited the crash site and extended her condolences to the affected families. She announced that the government would help repatriate the bodies and conduct a full inquiry into the cause of the crash. She described the road as winding with sharp bends, unsuitable for heavy vehicles like buses or trucks.
Botswana's President Mokgweetsi Masisi offered his deepest condolences to the relatives and the church involved. The office of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa also expressed sympathy for Botswana and the victims' loved ones. In an Easter message released before the crash, Ramaphosa had urged citizens to ensure a safe Easter period.
