A tragic bus crash in South Africa's northern province of Limpopo has left 45 people dead and one individual critically injured, according to a statement released by South Africa's Department of Transport on Thursday.
The tragic incident occurred when the bus driver lost control of the vehicle, leading to a collision with barriers on a bridge near Mamatlakala. The impact caused the bus to veer off the bridge, falling to the ground below and catching fire, further exacerbating the catastrophe, as detailed in the transport department's statement.
Reports indicate that the bus was transporting Easter pilgrims from Botswana, a landlocked country in southern Africa, to Moria, a town situated in Limpopo.
In response to the heart-wrenching event, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa extended his condolences to Botswana and vowed to provide support to the grieving nation, as stated by his office in a formal statement.
Tragically, out of the passengers aboard the ill-fated bus, only an eight-year-old child managed to survive the crash. The survivor is currently receiving medical care at a nearby hospital, according to a separate statement issued by Limpopo's Department of Transport.
The aftermath of the accident has been marked by scenes of utter devastation, with some bodies being burned beyond recognition, while others remain trapped amidst the debris or scattered across the crash site, as lamented by the provincial transport department.
As authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident, the nation mourns the loss of lives and grapples with the profound tragedy that has befallen the Easter pilgrimage.
