A tragic bus crash on the N2 North between Mandeni and Stanger has claimed the lives of at least eight passengers, including a toddler, and left many others injured.
The accident occurred as the bus, which was carrying church members travelling from Richards Bay to Shakaskraal, veered off the road under unclear circumstances.
Emergency services, including paramedics and rescue workers, rushed to the scene to assist the victims.
Due to the scale of the crash, off-duty members of IPSS Rescue were also called in to support the efforts.
Authorities have urged motorists to avoid the area to allow emergency teams to work without obstruction.
Read | Three killed, one seriously injured in N2 crash near Mandeni
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma, confirmed the rising death toll and announced that he would visit the crash site at 08h00 tomorrow morning to assess the wreckage and receive further reports from the Road Traffic Inspectorate.
Of the 8 fatalities, 6 were women, 1 man and a toddler.
4 people were critically injured, 35 sustained serious injuries but stables while 12 suffered minor injuries.
The injured have been transported to various hospitals within the iLembe District Municipality for treatment.
MEC Duma extended his condolences to the families of the deceased and expressed gratitude to the emergency personnel for their swift response.
“This is a heartbreaking tragedy. Our hearts are with the families of those who lost their loved ones, and we wish those injured a speedy recovery,” he said.
Authorities are still investigating the exact cause of the crash.
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