Rédaction Africa Links 24 with The Observer
Published on 2024-03-31 07:08:18
A devastating tragedy struck a group of worshippers on their way to an Easter weekend church gathering in South Africa. The bus carrying the worshippers, who were traveling from Botswana, veered off a bridge on a mountain pass and plummeted 50 meters into a ravine, bursting into flames upon impact. The horrific accident claimed the lives of at least 45 people, with the only survivor being an 8-year-old child who sustained serious injuries.
The crash occurred near the town of Mokopane, approximately 200 kilometers north of Pretoria, the South African capital. Search operations were launched immediately, but the task was complicated by the fact that many bodies were burned beyond recognition or trapped inside the engulfed vehicle. Some victims were ejected from the bus during the crash.
Smoke billowed from the charred wreckage as authorities worked to piece together the events leading to the tragedy. It appeared that the driver lost control of the bus, causing it to crash through the barriers on the bridge and plunge over the edge. Tragically, the driver was among the deceased.
President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed his condolences to the families of the victims, noting that they were all believed to be from Botswana and were heading to the town of Moria in Limpopo for a popular Easter pilgrimage organized by the Zion Christian Church. The South African government pledged to assist in any way possible, with Minister of Transport Sindisiwe Chikunga visiting the crash site to assess the situation and offer support to the affected families.
The incident served as a grim reminder of the dangers of road travel during holiday periods, particularly Easter, which is marked by increased traffic and heightened risks of accidents. Last year, over 200 people lost their lives in road crashes over the Easter weekend in South Africa.
Just prior to the bus crash, the South African government had issued warnings about the high volumes of travelers expected on the roads heading to Moria for the Easter pilgrimage. The Zion Christian Church, headquartered in Moria, was preparing to hold its first Easter gathering since the end of the COVID-19 pandemic.
As the investigation into the cause of the crash got underway, authorities emphasized the importance of road coaches adhering to safety regulations to prevent such tragedies in the future. The outpouring of support and condolences from both the South African and Botswana governments highlighted the unity and solidarity in times of grief and loss.
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