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42 Zimbabweans, Malawians killed in N1 Limpopo crash
2 hrs ago |
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The death toll from Sunday's horrific bus crash on the N1 freeway near Louis Trichardt (Makhado) in Limpopo has risen to 42, the provincial Department of Transport and Community Safety has confirmed.
According to the department, the deceased include 18 adult females, 17 adult males, and seven children. More than 30 passengers were rushed to nearby hospitals with serious injuries.
The tragic accident occurred on Sunday afternoon when a long-distance bus travelling from Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) lost control, veered off the road, and rolled down an embankment before landing on its roof. The bus was reportedly carrying Zimbabwean and Malawian nationals en route to their home countries.
Emergency services, police, and traffic officers worked through the night and into Monday morning, continuing search and rescue operations amid fears that more victims may still be trapped inside the wreckage.
Limpopo Transport and Community Safety MEC Violet Mathye, who visited the crash scene, expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy.
"Let me pass my condolences to the two countries that have lost loved ones — Zimbabwe and Malawi," Mathye said. "We have reported 38 injuries; these are the people currently in hospital. They were originally 39, but a 10-month-old baby passed away after being referred to hospital."
Mathye added that no other vehicle was involved in the crash, suggesting that the bus may have lost control due to fatigue or a possible mechanical fault.
"We will only know the cause once the final report is completed," she said.
The N1 highway remains closed in both directions as recovery operations continue. Authorities have urged motorists to use alternative routes.
The crash reportedly took place around 2 p.m. on Sunday near Ingwe Lodge in Musina, a section of the highway notorious for deadly accidents involving heavy vehicles and long-distance buses.
The distance from Gqeberha to Harare — the next major stop before the bus's final destination in Malawi — is over 2,100 kilometres, raising concerns about driver fatigue and vehicle roadworthiness on lengthy cross-border trips.
This latest tragedy comes just a week after a separate violent incident on the same highway, when armed robbers opened fire on a bus near Mokopane, killing two passengers.
Images circulating on social media show the devastating aftermath of Sunday's crash — including a child clutching the body of her deceased mother, and several victims trapped amid twisted metal and shattered glass.
Provincial police have opened an inquest docket and will investigate the exact cause of the crash.
According to the department, the deceased include 18 adult females, 17 adult males, and seven children. More than 30 passengers were rushed to nearby hospitals with serious injuries.
The tragic accident occurred on Sunday afternoon when a long-distance bus travelling from Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) lost control, veered off the road, and rolled down an embankment before landing on its roof. The bus was reportedly carrying Zimbabwean and Malawian nationals en route to their home countries.
Emergency services, police, and traffic officers worked through the night and into Monday morning, continuing search and rescue operations amid fears that more victims may still be trapped inside the wreckage.
Limpopo Transport and Community Safety MEC Violet Mathye, who visited the crash scene, expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy.
"Let me pass my condolences to the two countries that have lost loved ones — Zimbabwe and Malawi," Mathye said. "We have reported 38 injuries; these are the people currently in hospital. They were originally 39, but a 10-month-old baby passed away after being referred to hospital."
Mathye added that no other vehicle was involved in the crash, suggesting that the bus may have lost control due to fatigue or a possible mechanical fault.
"We will only know the cause once the final report is completed," she said.
The N1 highway remains closed in both directions as recovery operations continue. Authorities have urged motorists to use alternative routes.
The crash reportedly took place around 2 p.m. on Sunday near Ingwe Lodge in Musina, a section of the highway notorious for deadly accidents involving heavy vehicles and long-distance buses.
The distance from Gqeberha to Harare — the next major stop before the bus's final destination in Malawi — is over 2,100 kilometres, raising concerns about driver fatigue and vehicle roadworthiness on lengthy cross-border trips.
This latest tragedy comes just a week after a separate violent incident on the same highway, when armed robbers opened fire on a bus near Mokopane, killing two passengers.
Images circulating on social media show the devastating aftermath of Sunday's crash — including a child clutching the body of her deceased mother, and several victims trapped amid twisted metal and shattered glass.
Provincial police have opened an inquest docket and will investigate the exact cause of the crash.
Source - sabc
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