42 Dead in Tragic Bus Crash on South African Mountain Pass

42 Dead in South Africa Bus Crash Involving Zimbabwean and Malawian Nationals

Forty-two people, including seven children, have died in a devastating bus crash in South Africa’s Limpopo province, authorities have confirmed. The victims were Zimbabwean and Malawian nationals traveling home when the tragedy occurred.

According to local transport officials, the crash happened on Sunday night as the bus was navigating a mountainous section of the N1 highway. The vehicle reportedly veered off the road, plunging down a steep embankment along the mountain pass. The cause of the accident remains unknown, but authorities have launched a full investigation.

The bus was reportedly travelling from Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth) in the Eastern Cape en route to destinations in Zimbabwe and Malawi. It is still unclear how many passengers were onboard at the time of the crash, or what the bus’s capacity was.

Of the 42 confirmed fatalities, authorities say the victims include:

• 7 children

• 18 women

• 17 men

In addition, 49 people were injured, with several sustaining serious injuries. Rescue operations continued into the night as emergency services worked to recover bodies and transport survivors to nearby hospitals.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and the governments of Zimbabwe and Malawi, describing the crash as a shared tragedy.

“This is not only a loss for South Africa, but also a heartbreaking moment for our sister states of Zimbabwe and Malawi,” the president said.

Transport Minister Barbara Creecy and other government officials are expected to visit the crash site and meet with survivors and local authorities as investigations proceed.