The lives of forty-five individuals were tragically lost when a bus transporting them to an Easter celebration veered off a cliff.
Remarkably, amidst the tragedy, an eight-year-old girl emerged as the sole survivor.
The Limpopo Department of Transport and Community Safety conveyed through a Facebook post that a devastating bus accident on the Mma Matlakala Bridge, situated between Marken and Mokopane in Limpopo Province, South Africa, claimed the lives of 45 individuals.
The incident took place about 200 miles north of Johannesburg on Thursday, March 28th.
The crash claimed the lives of 45 people. Credit: Limpopo Department of Transport and Community Safety
According to reports from the South African Broadcasting Corporation, as cited by PEOPLE, the bus was traveling from Gaborone, Botswana, to a church in Moira, Limpopo Province, for Easter celebrations.
The tragic event unfolded when the driver purportedly lost control of the bus, leading it to plunge roughly 50 meters (164 feet) below the bridge onto a rocky surface, where it ignited into flames.
Upon arrival, rescue teams encountered a distressing scene, with some victims’ bodies burned beyond recognition, while others were trapped in debris or scattered across the crash site.
The only survivor, an 8-year-old girl, sustained serious injuries and was swiftly transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Colin Msibi, a spokesperson for the Department of Transport, informed BBC’s Newsday that the child is presently “in a stable condition.”
Msibi shared the prevailing belief regarding the child’s survival, stating, “What we suspect is that when the bus hit the barrier of the bridge, the child was ejected out of the bus, and that is how the child was able to survive.”
According to BBC News, authorities have retrieved 34 body bags from the scene, yet only nine of the bodies have been identified thus far.
Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga, the Transport Minister, extended her condolences to the affected families and emphasized the importance of responsible driving, particularly during the Easter weekend, when road traffic typically surges.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families, the government, and the people of Botswana,” Minister Chikunga stated, underscoring South Africa’s commitment to aiding in repatriating the victims for dignified burials.
Credit: Limpopo Department of Transport and Community Safety
The vehicle was registered in Botswana. Authorities are presently endeavoring to confirm the citizenship of the victims.
Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this tragedy.
