Staff Reporter
In a devastating incident, a bus carrying forty-five passengers veered off the road into a bridge and plunged approximately 50 meters (165 feet) into a ravine, resulting in the loss of forty-five lives.
The only survivor, an eight-year-old girl, sustained serious injuries and was rushed to a nearby hospital for urgent medical attention.
The ill-fated bus, transporting pilgrims from Botswana’s capital, Gaborone, to Moria, a town known for its Easter services, crashed through a barrier and burst into flames upon impact with the ground.
The accident happened on the Mmamatlakala mountain pass between Mokopane and Marken, 300 kilometers (190 miles) north of Johannesburg.
The Minister of Transport, Hon. Sindisiwe Chikunga has expressed her deepest condolences to the families affected.
“This is a time of immense grief and sorrow for the nation. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time,” Chikunga stated.
“We continue to urge responsible driving at all times with heightened alertness as more people are on our roads this Easter weekend.”
President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged citizens to prioritize safety during the holiday period.
“This should not be a time where we sit back and wait to see statistics on tragedy or injuries on our roads. Let us do our best to make this a safe Easter.” President Ramaposa emphasized.
