A bus carrying Christians on Easter Sunday falls off a bridge, killing all 45 passengers and leaving only one child alive.
According to multiple media outlets, the bus was heading from Botswana to Moria, South Africa, for the festival. Moria is a popular place for Easter pilgrimages. The passengers on the bus were members of a congregation called the Christian Zionist Church.
Local authorities said the bus lost control. Mamatlakara Bridge, along the Kloof Pass, a mountainous region in the northern part of the country. According to , this road is known for its tight and sharp turns. telegraph.
The bus fell approximately 164 feet into a ravine and then burst into flames. fox news report. At the time, the vehicle was also towing a trailer, which was reportedly loaded with flammable materials.
The only survivor of the accident was an 8-year-old girl.
The driver was among the 45 people killed and had a Botswana license plate, but authorities reported they were having trouble identifying many of the bodies. Most of the bodies will likely be airlifted because the crash site is rocky and dangerous. Some people are trapped under the rubble.
“It is believed that the driver lost control and crashed into the bridge railing, causing the bus to drive over the bridge and hit the ground, where a fire broke out,” South Africa’s Department of Transport said in a statement. D.W..
Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga assured the public that the incident would be thoroughly investigated.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time,” she said. “As more people will be on the roads this Easter weekend, we continue to urge everyone to be vigilant and drive responsibly at all times.”
“We will do everything we can to help them return to their homelands and families and be buried with dignity,” she added.
Hours before the crash, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa issued a warning about driving conditions over the Easter weekend.
“Let’s all do our best to have a safe Easter. Easter doesn’t have to sit idly by and wait for statistics on road tragedies and injuries,” he was quoted as saying in a statement.
Despite South Africa having the most developed road network on the continent, problems with driving during the Easter holidays persist.
In 2023, 225 people were reported to have died in 185 car accidents during the four-day long Easter holiday.
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