45 people killed in bus crash in South Africa – girl, 8, the sole survivor
28 March 2024, 19:22 | Updated: 28 March 2024, 22:49
More than 40 people have died after a bus veered off a bridge on a mountain pass in South Africa and crashed down onto rocks some 50 metres below.
The bus, which had a Botswanan registration plate, had a total of 46 people on board, including the driver.
Only one child, an eight-year-old girl, survived the crash and is being treated in hospital.
In a statement, the transport ministry said the driver lost control of the vehicle while going a round bend.
The bus caught fire after the crash near Mamatlakala in the northeast province of Limpopo.
The passenger bus was transporting people from Botswana, who were reportedly travelling to Moria in Limpopo which hosts a popular Easter pilgrimage.
Rescue operations continued until the late hours of Thursday evening. Some bodies were burned beyond recognition and others were trapped inside the debris.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa sent his condolences to Botswana and pledged support to the country, his office said in a statement.
Sky's Africa correspondent Yousra Elbagir has said accidents like this are not uncommon over the Easter period in South Africa - with 252 people killed in crashes over the four-day weekend in the country last year.
(c) Sky News 2024: 45 people killed in bus crash in South Africa – girl, 8, the sole survivor
