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A bus collision in South Africa late Monday killed 29 people and severely injured 11 others, on a road notorious for deadly accidents, a government spokesman said. | "The number is now 29," said Mpumalanga province safety department spokesman Joseph Mabuza, updating an earlier tally of 26 dead.
The bus collided with a truck near the town Kwaggafontein 100 kilometres (60 miles) east of the capital, Pretoria.
Three of the injured had died in hospital, while eight others were still critical and another 12 slightly hurt.
The bus was traveling from Pretoria when it collided with a truck which had swerved out of its lane, said Mabuza.
"The truck driver was trying to avoid a stationary vehicle and collided with the oncoming bus," he told AFP.
"We are not sure if the truck driver and the bus driver survived the accident," he added.
The injured were taken to hospital in nearby KwaMhlangu.
The bus company's name was not immediately available.
Known as the Moloto road for one of the towns along its way, the route is notorious for deadly collisions.
Around 50,000 people commute to work in Pretoria daily along the narrow and potholed route, using 635 buses.
Transport vehicles using the road are often overloaded and unroadworthy while drivers are prone to speeding.
Last month 18 people were injured in a collision on the route, while news reports about deadly accidents are frequent.
Last year religious leaders held a prayer service for the safety of the road. A radio station also dedicated a day to profile its dangers during which a provincial minister committed to improve conditions.
In September 27 people died when a heavy-duty truck crashed into traffic near eastern city Durban, while 24 were killed when a double-decker bus crashed into a mountainous pass near Cape Town in March.
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President Jacob Zuma has learnt with shock of the tragic loss of life in a road crash involving two trucks, a bakkie and a bus on Moloto Road near Kwaggafontein in Mpumalanga last night.
Twenty nine (29) people perished in the accident while 30 were injured.
"This carnage must stop. It is completely unacceptable! The fact that this particular road has gained notoriety in the deaths of our people means there's something wrong that we need to address together. We therefore urge witnesses to assist the investigation into the cause of the collision, which has been announced by the Minister of Transport. We also urge the law enforcement authorities to swiftly get to the bottom of the causes of this tragedy and the law must be firm on those found to have flouted any rules and regulations of the road, leading to such high fatalities," said President Zuma.
The President wished a speedy recovery to the 30 people who were injured.
"On behalf of government and all South Africans, we send our heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in this accident. May their souls rest in peace," said the President.
President Zuma sends condolences to road accident victims families
"The number is now 29," said Mpumalanga province safety department spokesman Joseph Mabuza, updating an earlier tally of 26 dead.
The bus collided with a truck near the town Kwaggafontein 100 kilometres (60 miles) east of the capital, Pretoria.
Three of the injured had died in hospital, while eight others were still critical and another 12 slightly hurt.
The bus was traveling from Pretoria when it collided with a truck which had swerved out of its lane, said Mabuza.
"The truck driver was trying to avoid a stationary vehicle and collided with the oncoming bus," he told AFP.
"We are not sure if the truck driver and the bus driver survived the accident," he added.
The injured were taken to hospital in nearby KwaMhlangu.
The bus company's name was not immediately available.
Known as the Moloto road for one of the towns along its way, the route is notorious for deadly collisions.
Around 50,000 people commute to work in Pretoria daily along the narrow and potholed route, using 635 buses.
Transport vehicles using the road are often overloaded and unroadworthy while drivers are prone to speeding.
Last month 18 people were injured in a collision on the route, while news reports about deadly accidents are frequent.
Last year religious leaders held a prayer service for the safety of the road. A radio station also dedicated a day to profile its dangers during which a provincial minister committed to improve conditions.
In September 27 people died when a heavy-duty truck crashed into traffic near eastern city Durban, while 24 were killed when a double-decker bus crashed into a mountainous pass near Cape Town in March.
President Jacob Zuma has learnt with shock of the tragic loss of life in a road crash involving two trucks, a bakkie and a bus on Moloto Road near Kwaggafontein in Mpumalanga last night.
Twenty nine (29) people perished in the accident while 30 were injured.
"This carnage must stop. It is completely unacceptable! The fact that this particular road has gained notoriety in the deaths of our people means there's something wrong that we need to address together. We therefore urge witnesses to assist the investigation into the cause of the collision, which has been announced by the Minister of Transport. We also urge the law enforcement authorities to swiftly get to the bottom of the causes of this tragedy and the law must be firm on those found to have flouted any rules and regulations of the road, leading to such high fatalities," said President Zuma.
The President wished a speedy recovery to the 30 people who were injured.
"On behalf of government and all South Africans, we send our heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in this accident. May their souls rest in peace," said the President.
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