21 killed in Eastern Cape bus crash
At least 21 people have been killed in a bus crash between Butterworth and Centane in the Eastern Cape.
Spokesperson for the Department of Health in the Eastern Cape Sizwe Kupelo says the bus was transporting mostly pensioners on their way to claim their social grants.
The crash also left a three-year-old child critically injured, while 20 others were transported to hospital.
Kupelo says the driver lost control of the bus on a grave road and plunged down the steep gorge. The driver was among those who died.
Rescue personnel, including the army and the police’s search-and-rescue team, have been deployed to the scene.
Toddler, 6 others killed in N1 crash
The victims include a 2-year-old boy. Provincial police spokesperson Motlafela Mojapelo says the crash took place on Sunday night. "The truck had reportedly just moved from the Petros Truck Stop which is located next to the road, turning onto the N1 highway towards Beitbridge when the Fortuner, coming from the northerly direction towards Musina, rammed into its trailer.
“We are struggling to get to the wreckage, our helicopters cannot land. Our emergency team is now talking to the army to get more assistance. We have also gotten SAPS search and rescue team they are currently en route to the accident scene,” says Kupelo.