Tragic School Bus Crash Claims 13 Young Lives South of Johannesburg
Johannesburg – A devastating head-on collision between a school minibus and a truck on Monday morning has left at least 13 children dead, sending shockwaves of grief across South Africa.
The crash occurred south of Johannesburg during the morning commute. According to police reports, the minibus was in the process of overtaking a line of stationary vehicles when it collided with the oncoming truck. The impact was catastrophic.
Eleven pupils died at the scene. Despite emergency efforts, two more children succumbed to their injuries after being rushed to a nearby hospital. The names and ages of the victims have not yet been released pending notification of their families.
In a statement, President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed his profound sorrow. “This is a profound tragedy that has visited a dark cloud over our nation. Our hearts go out to the parents, families, and school communities who have lost their precious children in this terrible way,” he said. He assured the public that all relevant government authorities would provide support to the affected families and schools.
The tragedy has reignited urgent concerns over the safety of scholar transport in South Africa. Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube, who visited the scene, pointed to driver error as a recurring factor in such accidents and called for immediate action.
“We cannot continue to lose young lives on our roads due to preventable causes,” Minister Gwarube stated. “This incident underscores the critical need for stricter checks and enforcement on all vehicles transporting our children. We must ensure both the roadworthiness of these vehicles and the absolute fitness of their drivers.”
The crash site remains under investigation by authorities as the community and the nation begin a period of mourning for the young lives lost in an instant.
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