A tragic bus crash near the town of Mokopane in South Africa has left at least 45 people dead, with an 8-year-old child being the sole survivor. The bus, carrying pilgrims from Botswana to an Easter gathering in Moria, veered off a bridge and plunged 164 feet into a ravine, catching fire in the process. Many of the victims were burned beyond recognition and trapped inside the charred wreckage. The driver was among the deceased, and the cause of the crash is currently under investigation.
Forensic investigators are working to recover all the bodies from the crash site, but some are still believed to be inside the bus. The child survivor’s condition remains unknown, and officials from the hospital where the child was taken have not provided an update. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed his condolences to Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi and vowed to provide assistance. The bus had a Botswana license plate, and the victims were all believed to be from Botswana.
Authorities are conducting an investigation into the cause of the crash, with the South African Minister of Transport Sindisiwe Chikunga offering her condolences to the families of the victims. The government in South Africa often warns motorists to be extra cautious during the Easter holidays, which are a busy and dangerous time for road travel. The Easter weekend sees millions of South Africans traveling from cities back to their rural homes or embarking on religious pilgrimages. Last year, over 200 people died in road crashes during the Easter weekend.
The Zion Christian Church’s Easter pilgrimage to Moria is a popular event that attracts worshippers from across the southern African region. This year’s pilgrimage is the first one to take place since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The church’s faithful gather near a giant star painted on a hillside in Moria, where the church’s headquarters are located. The crash has cast a shadow over the start of the Easter weekend, prompting calls for increased road safety measures and caution from the government and officials in South Africa. Efforts are underway to support the families of the victims and determine the circumstances that led to this tragic incident.
The community in MMAMATLAKALA is reeling from the aftermath of the crash, with local residents like Simone Mayema recounting how they attempted to help but were unable to do so due to the intense flames engulfing the bus. The devastating impact of the crash has left many families in mourning and has highlighted the dangers of road travel during peak holiday periods. As the investigation continues and efforts to recover the bodies progress, the focus remains on providing support to the survivors and the families affected by this tragedy. The Easter weekend, typically a time of reflection and celebration, has been marred by this heartbreaking event.
