Eleven people have been killed in a crash between a bus and a minibus taxi on the N1 highway near Leeu Gamka in the Western Cape on Good Friday.
The fatal crash happened around 06:00, said the Road Traffic Management Corporation’s (RTMC) Simon Zwane.
In addition to the fatalities, an unknown number of people were also injured, he said.
“It is alleged that the minibus was travelling from [the] Western Cape to [the] Eastern Cape and suffered a tyre failure, where the minibus pulled to the side. The bus, travelling from Beaufort West towards Cape Town, drove into the stationery minibus. Recovery and rescue operations are still underway to look for possible further deceased persons underneath the bus,” said Zwane.
The bus hit the taxi, lost control and overturned.
It was not immediately clear from which vehicle the fatalities occurred.
The RTMC had sent a team to the Western Cape to assist with investigations, Zwane added.
On Thursday, Western Cape Transport MEC Daylin Mitchell said the province was expecting busy roads over the Easter weekend.
“We encourage all those who will be traveling this weekend to practise good driver behaviour, comply with the rules of the road, stay within the legal speed limits and observe adequate rest periods during travel in order to avoid fatigue,” he said.
Read also: ZCC bus accident leaves at least 29 dead, several injured in Zimbabwe
The provincial traffic department had a number of interventions planned to promote road safety.
Premier Alan Winde added: “It is important that we take every measure to promote safety on our roads over this period. Doing so will ensure that we reduce pressure on our healthcare system and save lives.
“It will make this long weekend all the more enjoyable, encouraging visitors to return to our beautiful province once again.”
Look: N1 Leeu Gamka bus crash on Good Friday leaves 11 dead https://t.co/yfHcFy6OIS pic.twitter.com/12vakaYAR4
— SA Trucker (@rsa_trucker) April 15, 2022
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