Authorities said that 12 pupils perished on Wednesday after their minibus, which was carrying them to school in the vicinity of Johannesburg, overturned and cburst into flames following collision with another vehicle.
Authorities in the Gauteng region of Johannesburg said that seven additional children were taken to the hospital and that the minibus’s driver also perished.
Television footage from the early morning incident in Merafong, more than 70 kilometers (45 miles) west of the city, revealed that the minibus was completely destroyed by the flames.
The Gauteng government released a statement saying, “A private scholar transport minibus was involved in a tragic accident in the Kokosi-Wedela area in Merafong, claiming the lives of the 12 learners and their driver.”
The children’s ages were not immediately available, however it was stated that the majority were from primary schools, where pupils are typically between the ages of six and thirteen.
“They suffered irreparable burns. When this occurs, forensics will need to contribute to the identifying process, a spokesman for the Gauteng traffic police department, Sello Maremane, told AFP.
The minibus appeared to have been hit from behind by a small pick-up truck, which caused it to overturn and catch fire, according to investigators who were still looking into the incident.
According to reports, the pick-up driver was also admitted to the hospital, the majority of the hospitalized children had been discharged by late afternoon.
The minister of education for Gauteng, Matome Chiloane, expressed her profound sadness over the awful tragedy.
Despite having one of the most advanced road networks on the continent, South Africa has one of the lowest records for road safety, partly because of careless driving and unroadworthy vehicles.
“I have always said to parents we need to check the condition of the vehicles that we put our kids in,” Chiloane said at the scene of the crash.
Many South African parents rely on private minibuses to transport their children to school.
