Tragedy has struck the N1 near Louis Trichardt once again after at least five people lost their lives and 34 others were hospitalised when a bus plunged off a cliff on Thursday.
The crash occurred on the N1 highway towards Musina, at the same notorious stretch where another devastating bus accident claimed 43 lives last October.
It is believed the driver lost control before the bus veered off the road and plunged down a steep embankment. Emergency services rushed to the scene, where a major rescue operation is currently underway.
According to the Limpopo Department of Transport and Community Safety, the bus was travelling from Gauteng to Musina. Passengers were reportedly en route to catch another bus that would take them onwards to Zimbabwe.
Authorities have confirmed that the bus was ferrying 39 people at the time of the crash. Three passengers remain trapped beneath the wreckage as rescue teams work to free them.
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The N1 highway has been closed to traffic to allow emergency personnel to conduct recovery operations and clear the scene. Motorists travelling between Makhado and Musina have been advised to use alternative routes and expect significant delays.
Traffic officers, EMS personnel and other emergency responders remain on-site managing the situation.
The exact cause of the crash is still under investigation.
This latest tragedy has once again raised serious concerns about safety on this particular stretch of road, which has now witnessed two catastrophic bus crashes within months.
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