Breaking news: 29 killed in EC horrific bus crash

Nine others were  injured, with some airlifted to Frere Hospital in East London.

Of the nine injured, six were in a critical condition, according to Eastern Cape provincial health spokesman Sizwe Kupelo.

It is believed the victims were all from the same village in Willowvale near Dutywa.

The spokesman said the bus was travelling from Nkelekethe village outside Willowvale with about 60 passengers on board.

Butterworth police spokesman Captain Jackson Manatha described the accident as "very horrific", saying some of the victims were as a young as three years old.

"We cannot speculate at this moment as to the cause of the accident but our investigators will rely on witnesses statements to try and establish what happened," he said.

Manatha, however, said a case of culpable homicide had been opened by Willowvale police.

He said at least one person was airlifted to Frere Hospital, while some of the injured people were  taken to Willowvale Hospital.