Bus accident in South Africa kills 45: officials

Ambulance
Officials say a bus crash in South Africa has left at least 45 people dead. -EPA

South Africa's Department of Transport says a bus crash near Mamatlakala in the northern province of Limpopo has resulted in at least 45 deaths and one seriously injured person.

The ministry alleged that the driver lost control and collided with barriers on the bridge, causing the bus to go over the bridge and hit the ground where it caught fire, according to the statement.

The passenger bus was transporting people from Botswana, a landlocked country in southern Africa, to Moria, a town in Limpopo, it added.

— Limpopo Provincial Government (@OtpLimpopo) pic.twitter.com/Tre9DzvagHMarch 28, 2024

Rescue operations continued until the late hours of Thursday evening, as some bodies were burned beyond recognition, others trapped inside the debris and scattered on the scene, Limpopo's Department of Transport said in a separate statement.