By GERALD IMRAY (Associated Press)
CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — A bus transporting worshippers to an Easter celebration fell off a bridge on a mountain road and caught fire in South Africa on Thursday, killing at least 45 people, authorities reported.
Authorities in the northern province of Limpopo stated that the sole survivor of the accident, an 8-year-old child, was receiving medical care and was seriously injured.
The bus swerved off the Mmamatlakala bridge and dropped 50 meters (164 feet) into a ravine before igniting, as per the Limpopo provincial government.
The provincial government mentioned that search operations were still in progress, but numerous bodies were burned beyond recognition and remained trapped inside the vehicle.
Officials indicated that the bus was likely traveling from Botswana to the town of Moria for a popular Easter pilgrimage, and it seemed that the driver lost control and perished.
The national Department of Transport stated that Minister of Transport Sindisiwe Chikunga, who was in Limpopo province for a road safety campaign, altered her plans to visit the crash site. She mentioned an ongoing investigation into the cause of the crash and extended her condolences to the victims' families.
The South African government frequently cautions about the risk of road accidents during the busy and perilous Easter holidays. Last year, over 200 individuals perished in road accidents during the Easter weekend.
The Easter pilgrimage to Moria, which draws hundreds of thousands of people from South Africa and neighboring countries, is hosted by the Zionist Christian Church. This year marks the first Easter pilgrimage since the COVID-19 pandemic.
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AP Africa news: https://apnews.com/hub/africa
