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Another fatal Malawian bus crash closes N1 in Limpopo
3 hrs ago |
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A serious road accident involving a Malawian passenger bus travelling from Gauteng forced the closure of the N1 near the Witvlag turn-off in the Soutpansberg Mountain Pass in Limpopo on Thursday evening.
The Limpopo Department of Transport and Community Safety confirmed that the crash occurred at around 18:00 on Thursday, 7 May, involving a bus carrying passengers northbound along one of Southern Africa's busiest regional transport corridors.
Authorities said an unconfirmed number of people were killed in the crash, while several others sustained injuries. Emergency officials were still working to establish the full number of casualties late Thursday night.
Traffic officers, police and emergency rescue teams rushed to the scene and began rescue and recovery operations as the road was shut down to traffic.
Department spokesperson Mashudu Mabatha urged motorists to avoid the area and use alternative routes while authorities cleared the scene and investigated the cause of the accident.
"The road is currently closed. Traffic officials, police and emergency services are on the scene managing the situation," Mabatha said.
The crash caused major traffic congestion along the route, with authorities warning motorists to expect delays.
The accident comes days after another devastating regional bus tragedy involving Malawian passengers.
Earlier this week, Emmerson Mnangagwa expressed condolences following a separate bus accident involving Zimbabwean and Malawian passengers in Limpopo province that claimed dozens of lives.
In a statement, Mnangagwa said the tragedy highlighted the urgent need for stronger cooperation between Southern African countries on road safety enforcement and cross-border transport regulation.
"That so many lives were lost in this accident once more urges us to ensure maximum diligence in the movement of our peoples regardless of borders and differences in legislation," he said.
"In view of increased cross-border movement in our SADC region, facilitated by our collective efforts towards a borderless community, it has become incumbent for traffic enforcement agencies across jurisdictions to collaborate more closely and for our respective Governments to harmonise our legislation in terms of vehicular traffic."
The latest crash is likely to intensify scrutiny over long-distance passenger transport safety along regional corridors linking South Africa with Zimbabwe, Malawi, Zambia and other neighbouring countries.
Authorities in Limpopo said investigations into the cause of Thursday's crash are ongoing.
The Limpopo Department of Transport and Community Safety confirmed that the crash occurred at around 18:00 on Thursday, 7 May, involving a bus carrying passengers northbound along one of Southern Africa's busiest regional transport corridors.
Authorities said an unconfirmed number of people were killed in the crash, while several others sustained injuries. Emergency officials were still working to establish the full number of casualties late Thursday night.
Traffic officers, police and emergency rescue teams rushed to the scene and began rescue and recovery operations as the road was shut down to traffic.
Department spokesperson Mashudu Mabatha urged motorists to avoid the area and use alternative routes while authorities cleared the scene and investigated the cause of the accident.
"The road is currently closed. Traffic officials, police and emergency services are on the scene managing the situation," Mabatha said.
The crash caused major traffic congestion along the route, with authorities warning motorists to expect delays.
The accident comes days after another devastating regional bus tragedy involving Malawian passengers.
Earlier this week, Emmerson Mnangagwa expressed condolences following a separate bus accident involving Zimbabwean and Malawian passengers in Limpopo province that claimed dozens of lives.
In a statement, Mnangagwa said the tragedy highlighted the urgent need for stronger cooperation between Southern African countries on road safety enforcement and cross-border transport regulation.
"That so many lives were lost in this accident once more urges us to ensure maximum diligence in the movement of our peoples regardless of borders and differences in legislation," he said.
"In view of increased cross-border movement in our SADC region, facilitated by our collective efforts towards a borderless community, it has become incumbent for traffic enforcement agencies across jurisdictions to collaborate more closely and for our respective Governments to harmonise our legislation in terms of vehicular traffic."
The latest crash is likely to intensify scrutiny over long-distance passenger transport safety along regional corridors linking South Africa with Zimbabwe, Malawi, Zambia and other neighbouring countries.
Authorities in Limpopo said investigations into the cause of Thursday's crash are ongoing.
Source - Byo24News
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