Bus plunges 50m off bridge into ravine killing 45 people onboard

45 people were killed when the bus plunged off a bridge (Image: Limpopo Department of Transport)

A bus crash has killed 45 people onboard, with only an eight-year-old girl surviving the horror smash in South Africa. The passengers aboard the bus died with the vehicle they were travelling on plunged 50m from a bridge into a ravine below. 

According to authorities, the bus drove through a barrier by the road before bursting into flames when it hit the ground in Limpopo province, in the north-east of the country.

The bus was reportedly travelling between the capital of Botswana, Gaborone, and the town of Moria where an Easter service was being held. 

South African broadcaster SABC said bus subsequently lost control and came off a bridge in the Mma Matlaka mountain pass between Mokopane and Marken.

Following the accident rescue workers attempted to reach the bus, but debris made it hard to reach some of the people inside the bus, some of whom were beyond recognition due to the fire that resulted from the accident.

In a statement, Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga sent her "heartfelt condolences to the families affected by the tragic bus crash". 

She added: "Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. We continue to urge responsible driving at all times with heightened alertness as more people are on our roads this Easter weekend.

The minister added that the South African government would assist in the repatriation of the bodies and conduct a full enquiry to find out what caused the tragic accident.

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