South Africa bus crash kills 45 Easter pilgrims, says Transport Ministry

Firefighters hose down a bus after it crashed off the R518, killing a few dozen, in Waterberg District, Limpopo Province, South Africa, on March 28, 2024, in this image taken from social media. Limpopo Department of Transport and Community Safety via REUTERS

A bus crash in the northern province of Limpopo resulted in 45 deaths and one serious injury, the Department of Transport of South Africa said Thursday.

The driver lost control and collided with barriers on a bridge near Mamatlakala, causing the bus to go over the bridge and hit the ground, catching fire, according to a statement by the transport department.

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The bus was taking Easter pilgrims from Botswana, a landlocked country in Southern Africa, to Moria, a town in Limpopo, it added.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa sent his condolences to Botswana and pledged support to the country, his office said in a statement.