KEY POINTS
- Six church members died, and several others were injured after a bus tyre burst on the N2 highway, causing the vehicle to roll and crash.
- Emergency services, including traffic officials and police, are conducting rescue operations, with motorists advised to avoid the area.
- The accident highlights ongoing road safety concerns in South Africa, following a series of fatal crashes in recent weeks.
Six church members, including five women and one man, lost their lives in a tragic bus accident on the N2 highway between Mandeni and Stanger in KwaZulu-Natal.
The bus, transporting congregants from Richards Bay to Shakaskraal, experienced a burst tyre, causing the driver to lose control.
The bus rolled and landed on the embankment, leaving multiple passengers injured, Timeslive reports.
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport, Siboniso Duma, confirmed the incident, stating that emergency services, including the Road Traffic Inspectorate, Mandeni traffic department, and police, were on the scene conducting rescue operations.
“We are requesting motorists to avoid the area to allow the rescue operation to be carried out,” Duma said.
Rising road accidents highlight safety concerns
This tragic incident adds to a growing list of fatal road accidents in South Africa, raising concerns about vehicle safety and road conditions. Just weeks ago, a collision on the N6 in the Free State claimed 10 lives, including a two-year-old child.
Similarly, a military truck accident in the Northern Cape resulted in two deaths and 17 injuries.
Transport Minister Barbara Creecy recently addressed the public regarding another bus crash in the Free State, where four bodies remain unidentified. These recurring incidents have sparked calls for stricter enforcement of road safety regulations and improved vehicle maintenance standards.
The church bus accident has left the local community in mourning, with many questioning the adequacy of safety measures for public transport. Authorities have urged drivers to exercise caution and ensure their vehicles are roadworthy, especially during long trips.
