11 dead in minibus taxi-truck crash in South Africa.According to news agency PTI, 11 people were killed in a truck and minibus taxi.
A minibus taxi and truck collided in eastern KwaZulu-Natal province on Thursday, killing at least 11 people, including a schoolchild at the scene, provincial transport official Siboniso Duma confirmed via preliminary reports.
This tragedy follows a head-on crash just over a week ago that claimed 14 schoolchildren’s lives in another minibus-truck collision.
Emergency services noted several critical injuries, underscoring ongoing road safety woes in the region, reported India Today.
ALS Paramedics spokesperson Garrith Jamieson reported 11 dead at the scene, with several critically injured, including the minibus driver trapped in the wreckage.
Emergency services confirmed most victims died instantly at the scene, with the collision striking around 7 a.m. during peak morning traffic.
Eyewitnesses reported the minibus, carrying children, attempted to overtake parked vehicles before smashing head-on into the oncoming truck.
Police have launched a formal investigation into the deadly KwaZulu-Natal minibus-truck collision, with the truck driver slated for questioning to determine fault.
President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed profound sorrow, pledging national and provincial support, including psychological and emotional aid, for grieving families and schools. “Our children are the nation’s most precious assets,” he said via AP.
“We must do all we can, from obeying road rules to vetting scholar transport providers, to safeguard learners.”
Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube voiced grave concerns over nationwide school transport safety, linking many student crashes to driver errors. She highlighted systemic management flaws endangering kids daily, urging the Department of Transport to tighten oversight and enforcement for safer daily commutes.
