45 Killed In Bus Crash On The Way To Easter Church Service
Dozens of Christians in South Africa died after a bus they were in crashed off a cliff on their way to an Easter church service.
The crash occurred in Limpopo, the northernmost province of South Africa, after the bus veered off a cliff. Upon hitting the ground, the bus burst into flames, taking the lives of 45 people in it.
45 Dead After Bus Crashes Off Cliff En Route To Easter Church Service https://t.co/HedtyxBTKR pic.twitter.com/JFVeemR5dj
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One person reportedly survived the accident. The survivor, an 8-year-old girl, is now in stable condition at a hospital. According to Department of Transport spokesperson Colin Msibi, the young girl managed to survive the incident because she was ejected out of the bus when it hit the barrier of the bridge.
The group of Christians, which was reportedly coming from Botswana, was on its way to Moria, South Africa, for church services.
Shedding more light into the incident, the Limpopo Department of Transportation stated, “According to reports, the driver lost control, and the bus fell onto a rocky surface, some 50-metres under the bridge and caught fire. Rescue operations continued until the late hours of Thursday evening, as some bodies were burned beyond recognition, others trapped inside the debris and others scattered on the scene.”
In a statement responding to the crash, the South African Transportation Ministry said, “It is alleged that the driver lost control, colliding with barriers on the bridge causing the bus to go over the bridge and hitting the ground, where it caught fire. The Minister assures the public that the precise cause of the crash is under thorough investigation.”
South African Minister of Transport Sindisiwe Chikunga mourned the dead in a post to social media, writing, “I am sending my heartfelt condolences to the families affected by the tragic bus crash near Mamatlakala.”
“Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. We continue to urge responsible driving at all times with heightened alertness as more people are on our roads this Easter weekend,” Chikunga added.