Eleven people have died following a horrific head-on collision involving a minibus taxi and a heavy motor vehicle on the N2 near KwaManandi, in Mtubatuba, northern KwaZulu-Natal.
Eight other people sustained serious burn wounds in the crash.
It is believed the occupants of the minibus taxi were travelling from a Maskandi festival in eMpangeni when the collision occurred.
The exact circumstances leading to the crash have not yet been confirmed.
The crash has also caused major disruption to traffic on the N2.
Both lanes at the crash scene are blocked, and traffic has reportedly been redirected onto a dirt road while authorities deal with the wreckage and casualties.
However, drivers at the scene have told SA Trucker that the diversion has quickly become problematic, with several trucks becoming stuck in soft ground.
Traffic is now reportedly at a standstill in both directions, leaving motorists and truck drivers facing potentially lengthy delays.
Road users approaching the area are urged to exercise extreme caution and, where possible, consider alternative routes until the scene has been cleared.
Emergency services and traffic authorities remain at the scene.
The death toll and number of injured could still change as emergency operations continue and authorities establish the full circumstances surrounding the collision.
This is a developing story.
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