A tragic incident occurred in South Africa’s Limpopo province on Thursday when a bus, carrying worshippers to an Easter conference, veered off a cliff, resulting in the loss of 45 lives, as confirmed by the country’s transport department. The accident left only one survivor, an eight-year-old girl, who was subsequently airlifted to a hospital, according to reports from the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC).
The bus was en route from Gaborone, the capital of Botswana, to an Easter event at a church when it met with the accident in the Mamatlakala mountain pass, located between Mokopane and Marken. Reports indicate that the vehicle caught fire upon its descent.
Investigations into the cause of the crash are currently underway, with initial reports suggesting that the driver lost control, leading the bus to plummet approximately 50 meters off a bridge onto a rocky terrain below and then ignite.
Rescue and recovery operations are in progress to retrieve the bodies of the deceased passengers. The situation is grim, with some victims having been burned beyond recognition, others trapped within the wreckage, and additional victims found scattered around the crash site, as detailed by the province’s transport department.
South Africa’s Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga extended her deepest sympathies to the families of the victims and announced plans for the repatriation of the bodies back to Botswana. Minister Chikunga also expressed her condolences, stating, “I am sending my heartfelt condolences to the families affected by the tragic bus crash near Mamatlakala. 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.”